MAYS LANDING — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson says he has again asked New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin to intervene in a months-long dispute between county government and Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds, arguing the conflict is driving up legal costs for taxpayers and disrupting county operations.
Speaking Wednesday on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Levinson said he recently sent another letter to the Attorney General requesting state involvement because the county prosecutor reports directly to the Attorney General's Office rather than county government.
"The Attorney General up until now has been totally and completely silent," Levinson said. "This is the third time I have requested that they come in and take a look at what's going on."
Levinson said the disagreement has resulted in multiple county officials retaining outside legal counsel after Reynolds declined to use the county's legal department, which Levinson defended as experienced and qualified.
According to Levinson, the county prosecutor has determined County Counsel Lynn Hughes and County Attorney Arthur Murray have conflicts that prevent them from representing his office. Levinson disputed that assessment, saying the county's other constitutional officers continue to work with the attorneys without issue.
The county executive argued the arrangement has unnecessarily increased costs because multiple parties now require private legal representation.
"It's costing the taxpayers of this county plenty of money for outside attorneys," Levinson said.
Levinson also claimed the dispute has affected routine county operations. He said a county maintenance employee was recently turned away after being sent to perform repairs at the prosecutor's office, requiring outside contractors to complete the work instead.
"We're at war," Levinson said in describing the relationship between county government and the prosecutor's office.
The dispute follows disagreements that emerged after the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office investigated allegations involving Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. Levinson said he had previously maintained a positive working relationship with Reynolds before tensions escalated.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Levinson said he remains willing to meet with Reynolds in an effort to resolve the matter.
"Anytime he wants to sit down and put this all behind us, I am more than willing to do so," Levinson said. "It's not about me, and it's not about him. It's about the people that we represent."
Levinson also questioned the prosecutor's office's staffing practices, noting that employees are permitted to work remotely two days a week while other county departments report to the office full time.
The dispute is currently pending before the Superior Court, according to Levinson.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office had not publicly responded to Levinson's latest comments as of Wednesday afternoon.
Levinson made the remarks during an interview with Don Williams on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
