Walter F. Timpone Explained

Walter F. Timpone
Office:Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey
Appointer:Chris Christie
Term Start:May 2, 2016
Term End:August 31, 2020
Predecessor:John E. Wallace Jr.
Successor:Fabiana Pierre-Louis
Birth Name:Walter Francis Timpone
Birth Date:10 November 1950
Party:Democratic
Religion:Roman Catholic -->
Alma Mater:St. Francis College (B.A.)
New York University (M.A.)
Seton Hall University (J.D.)

Walter Francis "Wally" Timpone (born November 10, 1950) is a former Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, having been sworn on May 2, 2016.[1] [2] He was nominated to the Supreme Court by Governor Chris Christie and confirmed by the New Jersey Senate in April 2016.[3] [4] [5] He resigned on August 31, 2020.

Timpone had previously been a partner in the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP and a member of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.[6]

Background

Timpone received a bachelor's degree from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York, in 1972, a master's degree in Special Education from New York University in 1974, and his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1979. He was law clerk to the late Honorable Vincent P. Biunno (United States District Court for the District of New Jersey). He was associated with the firm of Townley & Updike in New York City. He has been a resident of Cranford, New Jersey.[7]

In January 1984, Timpone joined the office of United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey in Newark. He served until January 1994, including as Chief of Special Prosecutions.[6] In 2002, he was considered for first assistant to Christie, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, but there were questions regarding the appointment arising from his contact with Robert Torricelli, who was under investigation at the time.[8] [9]

Election Law Enforcement Commission

Timpone was appointed to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) by Christie in 2010 and served as its vice-president.[10] He vacated his ELEC seat to take his seat on the Supreme Court.

He cited a conflict of interest as Christie's appointed vice-chairman of the ELEC when he stepped down as attorney for Bridget Anne Kelly, a defendant in the Fort Lee lane closure scandal court case.[11] [12]

Timpone recused himself in a matter regarding alleged election campaign expenditure and improper spending by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. without explanation, leading to DiVincenzo's lawyers claims that there must be a quorum[13] and making it impossible for the investigation to proceed.[14] [15] [16] It was revealed on April 26, 2016, in that Timpone had recused and un-recused himself several times in the matter.[17]

New Jersey Supreme Court

Christie nominated Timpone, a Democrat, for the NJ Supreme Court in April 2016, withdrawing his February 2016 nomination of Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman, a Republican. The selection to fill a long-vacant seat on court has been matter of controversy about the political composition of the court since the governor's first term. Timpone's identification as a Democrat made the nomination more palatable to the New Jersey Senate, which conducts confirmation hearings.[18] [19] Christie said he would have preferred a Republican, but relieved that the controversy would be settled.[20] As unwritten rule and senatorial courtesy, Timpone met with each of Union County's state senators Nicholas Scutari (D), Ray Lesniak (D), Tom Kean, Jr. (R). After meeting with the Senate Judiciary Committee, he was confirmed by the full New Jersey Senate on April 26, 2016.[21] He was sworn on May 2, 2016.[2]

It was revealed on the same day in a New Jersey appellate court that Timpone had recused and unrecused during a matter concerning the ELEC and DiVincenzo. In his meeting with the Senate Judiciary Committee Timpone said he would recuse himself in any cases which came before the Supreme Court involving DiVincenzo, with whom he is friendly.[17]

In June 2020, Governor Murphy announced he would nominate Fabiana Pierre-Louis, a 39-year-old South Jersey resident and former US. attorney,[22] as Timpone's replacement.[23] Timpone resigned on August 31, 2020.[24]

See also

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Christie praises 'good friend' Timpone as new Supreme Court justice is sworn in. NJ.com. June 3, 2016. November 8, 2017.
  2. Ceremonial Swearing-In for Justice Walter F. Timpone . NJ Judiciary . June 1, 2016 . 2 June 2016.
  3. Web site: Christie announces Supreme Court nominee. DUSTIN RACIOPPI. NorthJersey.com. 11 April 2016.
  4. Web site: Christie's Supreme Court pick approved by Senate. 25 April 2016. Philly.com. 26 April 2016.
  5. Web site: Christie's N.J. Supreme Court pick confirmed, ending long vacancy. NJ.com. April 26, 2016. 26 April 2016.
  6. Web site: Walter F. Timpone - Attorneys - McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP. 11 April 2016.
  7. Ensslin, John C. "Breath of fresh air' for N.J.’s high court; colleagues praise nominee", The Record, April 15, 2016. Accessed May 7, 2021. "Timpone, a 65-year-old Cranford resident and former assistant U.S. attorney, has the judicial demeanor and knack for collegiality, they said, to build consensus on a court that by tradition is split between Democratic and Republican justices."
  8. Web site: Problem Arises In Candidacy For Top Aide To Prosecutor. 12 February 2002. The New York Times. 11 April 2016.
  9. Web site: Christie, Democrats agree on N.J. Supreme Court nominee. NJ.com. April 11, 2016. 11 April 2016.
  10. Web site: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. 11 April 2016.
  11. News: Shawn. Boburg. GWB scandal: Ex-Christie aide Bridget Anne Kelly hires new lawyer. The Record . Woodland Park, NJ. January 22, 2014. January 24, 2014.
  12. Web site: Attorney for former Chris Christie aide in GWB scandal is out, citing conflict. NJ.com. January 22, 2014. 12 April 2016.
  13. News: Sherman . Ted . NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case . The Stat-Ledger . July 6, 2014 . 2014-05-28.
  14. Web site: Charges against DiVincenzo over misuse of campaign funds facing dismissal. NJ.com. 11 April 2016.
  15. Web site: Christie cripples ethics watchdog to help his Democratic pal, DiVincenzo - Moran. NJ.com. September 20, 2015. 11 April 2016.
  16. Web site: Christie Supreme Court pick scrutinized over political favor. NJ.com. April 15, 2016. 26 April 2016.
  17. Web site: Questions raised on new N.J. Supreme Court justice's role in campaign case. SALVADOR RIZZO. NorthJersey.com. 26 April 2016.
  18. Web site: Stile: State Supreme Court announcement comes wrapped in a white flag. Stile, Charles. NorthJersey.com. 12 April 2016.
  19. Web site: Christie, Sweeney Strike Deal to Name Democrat to Open Supreme Court Seat. April 12, 2016. 12 April 2016.
  20. Web site: Chris Christie Nominates Democrat to New Jersey Supreme Court. Kate King. 12 April 2016. WSJ. 21 April 2016.
  21. Web site: On the fast track? Christie's N.J. Supreme Court nominee could clear Senate on Monday. NJ.com. April 20, 2016. 21 April 2016.
  22. Web site: Fabiana Pierre-Louis - Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP . www.mmwr.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200605152459/https://www.mmwr.com/attorney/fabiana-pierre-louis/ . 2020-06-05.
  23. Web site: Murphy to nominate attorney to become first black woman to N.J. Supreme Court. June 5, 2020.
  24. Web site: Wildstein . David . 2020-08-31 . Timpone resigning today; Pierre-Louis will take oath tomorrow . 2020-09-10 . New Jersey Globe . en-US.