Democratic operative pleads guilty to election fraud in 2021 NJ governor's race

James Devine, a longtime political operative in Middlesex and Union counties, admitted in court to trying to fraudulently put his domestic partner's name on the Democratic primary ballot during the 2021 race for governor .

Devine, 62, of Lambertville, pleaded guilty to the third-degree crime concerning nomination certificates or petitions, during an Aug. 26 hearing before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Lytle, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced.

Under the terms of the plea agreement with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), the prosecution will recommend Devine serve two years’ probation. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18.

“For the public to have faith in our elections, it’s critical for law enforcement to ensure that efforts to tamper with them are investigated and prosecuted,” Platkin said in a press release. “This defendant’s plea is a testament to my office’s commitment to fair elections and to holding bad actors accountable when they attempt to taint our democratic system.”

A state grand jury returned an indictment in March on three counts, offenses concerning nomination certificates or petitions, and tampering with public records or information, both third-degree crimes, and falsifying or tampering with records, a fourth-degree crime

In 2021 Devine served as the political campaign manager for Lisa McCormick and allegedly attempted to get her name on the ballot as a contender for the Democratic nomination for governor in the June 8, 2021, primary against Gov. Phil Murphy.

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An investigation determined that Devine sent the New Jersey Secretary of State’s Division of Elections about 1,948 fraudulent voter certifications via email, in an attempt to enable McCormick to compete in the primary race.

The New Jersey Democratic State Committee on April 9, 2021 filed a challenge to that effort, enumerating various issues with the voter certifications that Devine had provided, with the committee alleging there were questions about the authenticity of those petitions.

An Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey N. Rabin sided with the committee following a hearing and removed McCormick from the ballot on April 13, 2021 .

Individuals whose names appeared on the petitions submitted by Devine provided information that they did not submit a petition, or authorize one, in support of the candidate’s nomination. It is alleged that Devine uploaded false voter information onto petition forms and submitted them to the Division of Elections on behalf of the campaign without those voters’ authorization, according to the Attorney General's Office.

In pleading guilty, Devine, who unsuccessfully ran for Rahway mayor in the 2014 Democratic primary, acknowledged that he knew the petitions were fake when he filed them.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Democratic operative pleads guilty to election fraud in 2021 NJ governor's race