Official Statement from The Vote For A Better Tomorrow Campaign

On October 22, 2022, one of the volunteers for our campaign was arrested and accused of bribery.

Authorities involved in the arrest have alleged that the volunteer offered to complete a resident’s mail-in-ballot in exchange for a $20 gift card. While several media outlets have reported on the arrest, none of these media outlets have reached out to our campaign for a statement. As a result, the information contained in the various news reports is one-sided and does not reflect an accurate account of what actually transpired.

Throughout the past year, hundreds of volunteers have energetically participated in our campaign by speaking to voters, disseminating literature, and attending rallies and other events. As candidates seeking your vote in this year’s pivotal election, we have continually encouraged and promoted the highest moral and ethical standards among our volunteers and the community in general.

In this regard, we were shocked to learn that one of our volunteers was arrested and charged with bribery. It is vital that the residents of Perth Amboy understand that our campaign did not authorize any unlawful behavior, and that in pursuit of our election, we are committed to conducting ourselves in accordance with the law.

We pledge our unwavering support to the volunteer who was arrested and charged this past week. It is our sincere belief that the volunteer did not violate any laws as alleged in the media. We will continue to support the volunteer as the legal process plays out, and we expect that the volunteer will be fully exonerated of any alleged unlawful conduct through a full and fair judicial process.

Open Letter from Mayor Caba to The City of Perth Amboy Residents

Dear Residents,

It is with the most profound concern that I write this letter about an investigation launched by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Regrettably, I learned of the arrest of a campaign worker for three Perth Amboy City Council candidates and three Perth Amboy Board of Education candidates. This individual was arrested and charged with bribery.

One of my Administration’s highest priorities is restoring trust and confidence in local government. The illegal vote-buying operation that a campaign has allegedly engaged in, undermines that mission and does great harm to our community.

There is no place for voter fraud in Perth Amboy. I thank the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office for exposing this alleged illegal behavior. I expect the Prosecutor’s Office to hold those responsible accountable, and I encourage anyone who knows of any other credible incidents of voter fraud to come forward and contact law enforcement immediately.

The conduct of those involved does not represent our city and what we stand for. Our focus remains on public safety, improving the quality of our local services for our residents, and strengthening our capacity with fiscal responsibility and transparency for a transformative and thriving future.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is to call Detective Shadi Zaiton of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4263.

Sincerely,
Helmin J. Caba