Ex-Bloomfield Official, Dem Committee Linked to Birdsall Contributions

The Bloomfield Democratic Committee and a former Bloomfield official allegedly received campaign contributions from an engineering firm that admitted making campaign donations in exchange for public contracts, according to published reports.

Birdsall Services Group, an engineering firm that did work throughout New Jersey, pleaded guilty to charges that it disguised corporate political contributions as personal contributions of its employees.

A Star Ledger article notes that Birdsall reimbursed staffers with bonuses after the staffers wrote personal checks to area candidates

The Star-Ledger reported that Birdsall made a $600 donation in 2008 and a $500 in 2009 to the Bloomfield Democratic Committee. There is apparently no wrongdoing on part of the recipients, Bloomfield Life reported. Council member Janice Maly reportedly received a $125 corporate donation in 2008.

According to authorities, Birdsall shareholders and employees made personal political contributions of $300 or less, which are deemed un-reportable.

Following the accusations in March, the Bloomfield Township Council removed Birdsall as one of its engineers. At the time, Township Engineer Paul Lasek said the township had nothing to do with the alleged scheme, Bloomfield Life reported.