Did Super PAC's Sue McCue break ethics rules?

Last year, in probably the single most bizarre appointment of his career, Governor Chris Christie appointed Susan M. McCue, a Washington DC career insider and establishment critter, as one of the 15 members of the Rutgers Board of Governors.  These are the people who set policy and control what goes on at New Jersey's state university. 

DC party gal Sue McCue, friend of world class tax-rip-offs.

Susan McCue is a Democrat and was Senator Harry Reid's chief of staff and hatchet lady.  Before going Hollywood, Sue McCue ran the Senate Democrats' Super PAC that was so successful in holding off Republican domination of that body.   But then she did go Hollywood and started shilling for one of the biggest self-promoting tax avoidance artists in the WORLD -- the formerly Irish artist (now a citizen of wherever he can avoid paying taxes), the one and only Bone-job. 

Senator Reid is a FOG -- Friend of George (as in Norcross) -- and it was probably through this conduit that Sue met Chris and led Chris to appoint Sue to the Rutgers Board of Governors.  There is no doubt that Sue McCue has an impressive resume -- when it comes to crushing the nuts of the NJGOP.  McCue's Super PAC shut out the GOP's effort to pick-up legislative seats in 2013, when the Governor was winning by 20 points.  Then got their own nuts handed to them by the Pennsylvania GOP when they tried to do the same there in 2014.  PA Republicans heavily padded their majorities in both chambers despite the GOP Governor losing by 10 points.

This year Sue McCue is at it again.  Her General Majority SUPER PAC is spending millions against Republican Assembly candidates -- much of it improperly or at least unethically "wheeled" from other PACs. 

But there's a larger issue here for this resident of Alexandria, Virginia.  Is Susan McCue's involvement in her Super PAC even ethical?  Does it present a conflict of interest?

The by-laws of the Rutgers Board of Governors states:  "Members of the Board of Governors are covered by the "special state officer or employee" provisions of the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law (NJSA 52:13D-12 et seq.) and by the University Conflicts of Interests Policy for Members of Board of Governors, Trustees..."

The Policy warns each Member of the Board of Governors "to ensure that no detriment or appearance of detriment to the University's interests results from a conflict between the best interests of the University and any personal, financial, or other interest of a Board member or University officer."

The Policy states:  "Rutgers, The State University is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey and provides public higher education services.  The University is 'impressed with a public trust,' and members of the Boards of Governors, Trustees, Camden Board of Directors, and University officers have a fiduciary duty to the University.  A Board member's and officer's fiduciary duty provides that he or she shall always be guided by the best interests of the University.  Thus, Board members and officers may not act on matters in which they have a financial or personal interest that might interfere with the performance of their duties."

"Members of the Boards of Governors or Trustees, the Camden Board of Directors, or University officers shall not have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity, which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest."

"Members of the Boards of Governors or Trustees, the Camden Board of Directors, or University officers shall not undertake any employment or service, whether compensated or not, which might reasonably be expected to impair their objectivity and independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties."

"Members of the Boards of Governors or Trustees, the Camden Board of Directors, or University officers shall not knowingly act in any way that might reasonably be expected to create an impression or suspicion among the public having knowledge of their acts that they may be engaged in conduct violative of their trust as a special State officer or State officers."

It looks like Susie McCue has a lot of explaining to do.

We have received some requests for Rev. Greg Quinlan's contact information regarding his letter to the Rutgers President and Chairman of the Board of Governors.  Greg may be reached at 513-435-1125.