FREEHOLD-- An investigation into an anonymous complaint accusing the Monmouth County Tax Administrator with steering businesses to a pair of companies has ended with no charges being filed, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said Monday. Authorities launched the 18-month investigation into Matthew S. Clark's activities after receiving a letter claiming Clark channeled work to Realty Appraisal Company and Realty Data...
FREEHOLD-- An investigation into an anonymous complaint accusing the Monmouth County Tax Administrator with steering businesses to a pair of companies has ended with no charges being filed, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.
Authorities launched the 18-month investigation into Matthew S. Clark's activities after receiving a letter claiming Clark channeled work to Realty Appraisal Company and Realty Data Systems. Clark has "personal relationships" with the principals of those companies, the prosecutor's office said.
Clark was accused of steering work related to the Real Property Assessment Demonstration Program, which was created by law in 2013 and which the anonymous accuser said was leading to higher property taxes.
In addition to the prosecutor's office, the FBI also investigated, resulting in more than 100 subpoenas to state, county and local governments as well as financial institutions and other businesses. About 40 witnesses were interviewed, the prosecutor's office said. Ultimately, the prosecutor's office determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
The prosecutor's office has made referrals to various agencies including to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation; the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Office of Ethics Compliance; the New Jersey State Ethics Commission; the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller; and the Monmouth County Tax Board, for administrative review.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.