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New Jersey Democrats are setting up new super PACs, according to a report
(Patti Sapone/The Star-Ledger)
TRENTON — Two new federal super PACs that will be involved in New Jersey elections were formed in recent days.
The Center for Public Integrity in a report today said two groups with a shared Washington D.C. Post office box that are run by New Jersey consultants — Bergen Cares and Port Prosperity — were set up over the past week.
Bergen Cares is chaired by New Jersey political consultant Abner Bonilla of the political consulting firm Arkady. Arkady has done work for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J) as well as a super PAC tied to state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union).
Port Prosperity is chaired by Democratic attorney Daniel J. McCarthy, a Democratic attorney from Union County.
The super PACs have the same treasurer: Harrison resident Gianni Donates.
Super PACs can accept and spend unlimited campaign cash on elections as long as they don't coordinate with candidates.
The report noted that the date the PACs were set up after Oct. 15, which could allow them to exploit a loophole that would allow them to participate in current campaigns without having to disclose their donors until after the election.
Sean Caddle, the owner of Arkady, said his firm is taking a management role in both of the new super PACs, and stressed the timing of when they were formed is coincidental. He said neither will be accepting donations until after the election.
"Neither one of these super PACs were set up to take any contributions right now, and neither super PAC is taking contributions right now," Caddle said. "It's funny, I consider myself an expert in super PACS and I swear to God I never knew about the loophole."
Donates said he would need to speak to the two super PACs' chairs before commenting. Neither could immediately be reached for comment.
A third New Jersey super PAC called Hip Hop United was also recently set up in Cherry Hill to "run advertisements for or against candidates and/or support issues relevant to the Hip Hop Community."
"This committee will use Hip Hop style mediums and entertainment functions to uplift, empower and educate citizens of Hip Hop," its registration form says.
Matt Friedman may be reached at mfriedman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattFriedmanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.