FREEHOLDERS DUFFY & LEPORE CALL FOR FULL INVESTIGATION INTO RUMANA/WAYNE ENRGY CORP. MATTER

Clear conflict of interest exists costing Wayne residents $2.2 million dollar BPU grant

September 7, 2010

WOODLAND PARK, NJ - Today, Freeholders Terry Duffy and Pat Lepore called upon the United States Attorney, New Jersey Attorney General, and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office to launch full investigations into Assemblyman Scott Rumana and his role with the Wayne Energy Corporation.

“It is clear from documents released by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), testimony taken by the legislative oversight committee, and documents obtained via the Open Public Records Act that Assemblyman Rumana was walking a fine line while representing the residents of Wayne and acting as the head of the Wayne Energy Corporation,” stated Freeholder Lepore. “A full investigation headed by either the New Jersey Attorney General, US Attorney, or Passaic County Prosecutor is necessary to determine if any laws were broken and ensure this does not happen again.”

In an 18-page ruling issued by the BPU in April, the agency contended that Rumana’s cogeneration project had violated public bidding laws and terms of the contract were not in the best interest of Wayne residents. Mr. Rumana represented both sides in negotiations and appeared before the Board of Public Utilities as a private citizen, even though as a State Assemblyman he could influence the board’s funding.

Mr. Rumana’s actions and conflict of interest during negotiations cost Wayne residents a $2.2 million dollar clean energy grant from the BPU. Several news outlets – including an expose on News 12 New Jersey and PolitickerNJ.com – revealed Mr. Rumana abused his political office and negotiated as both the head of the Wayne Energy Corporation and as the Mayor of Wayne Township.

“The real losers in this unfortunate turn of events are the residents of Wayne who will not receive the $2.2 million dollar clean energy grant because of Mr. Rumana’s actions,” stated Freeholder Duffy. “We need to bring the entire story to light to prevent this gross misconduct from occurring again. Unfortunately Passaic County is losing out on an important investment and clean energy project because of Mr. Rumana’s irresponsible actions.”