‘I will not be attending’

Four years ago this week – Monday, Dec. 16. 2019 – word that Middlesex Borough Mayor Ron DiMura had been indicted sent cell phones pinging and ringing as news spread of charges from the state Attorney General’s Office.

After the initial jolt, borough officials were faced with the question of how to move forward. Few municipal governing bodies face the task of figuring out their next move after one member is served with criminal charges.

That was sorted out by the council and its professionals during a series of emails. Inside – Middlesex gained access to them by filing an Open Public Records Act request.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, DiMura submitted his resignation, effective the following day. Then-Council President John Madden, who had defeated DiMura in the mayoral election the previous month, presided over Tuesday night’s council meeting.

DiMura was charged with laundering campaign donations through a scholarship fund and bilking private investors in a Ponzi scheme. He pleaded guilty to second degree theft by deception in August 2020 as part of a plea agreement. The following February, he was sentenced to seven years in prison but ended up serving less than two years before being paroled.

Middlesex officials’ indictment-related email exchanges began on Dec. 16 and continued into the following day.

Dec. 16, 2019

9:05 a.m. – Borough Clerk Linda Chismar emails Dimura. 

Mayor:

Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow night?

If so, I have attached backup information regarding the Summer Reading Awards.

2:05 p.m. – Chismar emails Council President John Madden. It is essentially the same email sent five hours earlier to DiMura, asking if Madden will be at the next night’s meeting. Madden is referred to as “Mayor Madden,” suggesting word had been received of DiMura’s indictment.

4:05 p.m. – Councilman Jack Mikolajczyk emails DiMura. He copies Madden and Borough Administrator Marcia Karrow.

Ron,

There was an article in New Jersey.com that stated that you were brought up on charges regarding campaign funds management. Due to the severity of the charges I feel it would be most appropriate if you would resign immediately as mayor.

 Jack

5:42 p.m. – DiMura emails Chismar, responding to her 9:05 a.m. email.

I will not be attending meeting

9:20 p.m. – Karrow emails Borough Attorney Chris Corsini. She sends the counsel a copy of Mikolajczyk’s 4:05 p.m. email to DiMura.

9:34 p.m. – Matthew Anderson of Direct Development emails Karrow. Direct Development was serving as the council’s communications consultant.

Marcia, 

We were unsure if the Borough Council needed a statement regarding today’s news. Attached is a possible response from the Borough Council. See you at 6pm. 

—

Matthew Anderson

Dec. 17, 2019

12:15 a.m. – DiMura emails Karrow from his personal AOL email account

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept my resignation effective Wednesday, December 18, 2019 as Mayor. I will return my keys and phone to the Clerk.

Respectfully,

Ronald J. DiMura

12:27 a.m. – Karrow emails individual council members, attaching DiMura’s resignation email.

I will be sending this (resignation email) out to the staff in the morning.

Marcia A. Karrow

Middlesex Borough Administrator

1:05 a.m. – Councilman Jason Carr emails Karrow and Madden.

Is an email considered an official resignation,  or must there be a hard signed official letter?

This goes without saying but he needs to turn in more than just his “keys”.

Lap top, phone, etc.

Jason

1:08 a.m. – Karrow emails Carr and Madden on the question of the municipal property still in DiMura’s possession.

He only has his cellphone and key.  Everything else is in his office.   I think that email is acceptable but I need to check with Linda. 

1:59 p.m. – Karrrow responds to DiMura’s resignation email and copies Madden.

Mayor:  I cannot imagine how difficult this is for you and your family.  If you would like me or someone else here to meet you and pick up the keys and phone, I can make that arrangement for you.  Please let me know.  Thank you,

Marcia A. Karrow

Middlesex Borough Administrator

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