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Bill Baroni

From Alfawiki
William E. Baroni Jr.
Born (1971-12-10) December 10, 1971 (age 54)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Occupation(s)Politician, law professor
Years active1999–present
Known forNew Jersey State Senator, Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Fort Lee lane closure controversy

William E. Baroni Jr. (born December 10, 1971) is an American politician affiliated with the Republican Party and a law professor by profession. He served as a representative for New Jersey's 14th legislative district in both the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Senate. In 2010, Baroni was appointed Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey by then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Baroni stepped down from his role at the Port Authority on December 12, 2013, during the investigation into the Fort Lee lane closure controversy. He was found guilty on seven counts involving conspiracy and wire fraud connected to the lane closures, receiving a sentence of two years imprisonment along with 500 hours of community service; this was later reduced to 18 months. On May 7, 2020, the United States Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in the case Kelly v. United States.

Early life

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Baroni attended Steinert High School located in Hamilton Township. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from George Washington University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Early involvement

Baroni’s engagement in politics began during his teenage years with participation in US Representative Christopher H. Smith’s (R) 1988 campaign. He also contributed to Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian’s Senate bid in 1994 and supported Steve Forbes’ presidential campaign in 1996.

In 1999, Baroni ran unsuccessfully for a seat on Hamilton Township council. The following year, he was part of a minority faction of New Jersey Republicans endorsing John McCain over George W. Bush in the presidential primaries.

He served as general counsel for Congressman Bob Franks’ gubernatorial campaign in 2001 and led efforts during 2002 to maintain Senator Robert Torricelli’s place on the ballot amid ethical controversies, though these attempts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Campaign for Assembly in 2003

Baroni’s 2003 campaign for the General Assembly featured an intensive grassroots strategy that included knocking on more than 10,000 doors, leading to a victory over incumbent Democrat Gary Guear. An attack by Guear targeting Baroni’s place of birth backfired and instead bolstered Baroni’s support.

After securing re-election in 2005, Baroni gained attention by challenging Democratic challenger Daniel R. Benson to an unplanned debate on property tax issues during one of Benson’s press events, reinforcing his strong standing within the district.

On November 6, 2007, Baroni was elected to the New Jersey State Senate representing the 14th Legislative District with 62.3% of votes cast, succeeding Republican Senator Peter Inverso. Although there was speculation about a potential run against Senator Frank Lautenberg for the U.S. Senate in 2008, Baroni’s election to the State Senate curtailed those ambitions.

Legislative service

During 2004 and 2005, Baroni held the position of Assistant Parliamentarian within the Assembly.

His committee assignments included membership on the Senate Joint Committee on Public Schools; Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens; Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation; as well as Judiciary Committees.

In preparation for debates, Baroni assisted Tom Kean Jr. in 2006 by role-playing Senator Bob Menendez and performed a similar function in 2009 helping Chris Christie prepare for debates against Jon Corzine.

Baroni also served as State Chairman for John McCain’s presidential campaign in New Jersey during the 2008 election cycle.

Political views

Baroni has been described as both "pro-labor and pro-life." Significantly, in 2010 he stood out as the sole Republican Senator in New Jersey to cast a vote supporting same-sex marriage. Additionally, he endorses marriage equality in Ireland, where he holds citizenship.

Legal profession

Baroni began his legal career as an associate with DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick & Cole and Blank Rome before becoming of counsel at Fornaro Francioso in Hamilton. He acted as chief counsel for Congressman Bob Franks during the 2000 U.S. Senate race. In 2002, following Senator Robert Torricelli’s withdrawal from the re-election campaign amid ethics allegations, Baroni represented Republicans before the New Jersey Supreme Court, opposing a last-minute substitution of Frank Lautenberg as the candidate.

That same year, Baroni took on a role as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University School of Law, where he taught courses on Professional Responsibility, voting rights, legislative processes, and campaign finance reform. He ended his teaching duties there by November 2008.

Port Authority

On February 19, 2010, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appointed Baroni as Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. To accept this position, he resigned from his Senate seat effective March 1, 2010.[1]

In his capacity as deputy executive director, Baroni oversaw the redesign project of the Bayonne Bridge to enable passage for larger (Panamax) container vessels servicing the Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal. He was instrumental in securing both funding and federal approvals necessary to elevate the bridge’s deck. During his tenure, he reported to executive directors Christopher O. Ward and Pat Foye.

Fort Lee lane closure controversy

On December 12, 2013, Governor Christie announced Baroni’s resignation from his role at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey following revelations about the Fort Lee lane closure scandal, which was purportedly an act of political retaliation against Democratic Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich.

Baroni became a defendant on January 9, 2014, in a federal class action lawsuit alleging civil conspiracy and official misconduct. Subsequently, on May 1, 2015, he faced indictment on nine federal charges including conspiracy and fraud; he entered a plea of not guilty. He contested the District Attorney's refusal to provide certain documents crucial for his defense. The trial experienced delays starting September 2015.

Conviction and subsequent overturning

On November 4, 2016, Baroni and co-defendant Bridget Anne Kelly were convicted on all Bridgegate-related charges. On March 29, 2017, Baroni received a sentence of two years imprisonment along with 500 hours of community service.

An appellate court later dismissed several charges; Baroni sought dismissal of those remaining. On November 27, 2018, the Third Circuit affirmed most convictions but reversed the ruling regarding civil rights violations tied to interstate travel, ordering resentencing on seven counts.

Baroni appealed to the US Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case on June 28, 2019. On May 7, 2020, in Kelly v. United States, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned the convictions. The Court held that federal statutes concerning program fraud and wire fraud were not breached since the scheme did not aim to obtain money or property:

“For no reason other than political payback, Baroni and Kelly used deception to reduce Fort Lee’s access lanes to the George Washington Bridge—and thereby jeopardized the safety of the town’s residents. But not every corrupt act by state or local officials is a federal crime... We therefore reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Affiliations

Baroni held positions on the Foundation Boards of both The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Community College. He chaired the board of the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra and was a trustee for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as well as Visitation Home, an organization dedicated to providing housing assistance for New Jersey residents with disabilities. Additionally, Baroni served as a special advisor to the New Jersey Boys' State Foundation, having previously been a delegate himself. His service also included membership on the Mercer County Community College Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2003 and participation on the Hamilton Township Planning Board between 1998 and 2000.

Fat Kid Got Fit

In 2012, Baroni collaborated with a childhood friend to write Fat Kid Got Fit, and So Can You, sharing his personal experience of overcoming obesity through commitment to health and fitness. The book is designed to motivate readers to pursue their own paths toward improved wellness.

See also

External links




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  1. ↑ Tom Goodwin succeeded him in the Senate.
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