By tf-lawyer.com In a recent development, Anthony Salters, the chair of the Hillside Democratic Committee in New Jersey, has begun serving a six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to federal tax fraud in January. Although he was sentenced in August, his teaching position—which pays an annual salary of $80,000—along with his role as a middle school club advisor, remain intact. Salters entered prison on October 1, with an expected release date in March. This raises questions about how he will fulfill his teaching and advisory responsibilities this semester.
According to reports from The New York Times, New Jersey has long been associated with political patronage and corruption. Remarkably, after Salters’ guilty plea, he was still offered two publicly funded positions, all while continuing to lead the Hillside Democratic Committee. As New Jersey’s political landscape reaches a critical juncture, Salters’ favorable treatment highlights the significant challenges faced by those seeking to disrupt the existing power dynamics.
It remains unclear whether Salters will receive his salary while incarcerated. Local residents in Hillside have expressed concern, noting that the school district’s decision to retain Salters reveals a broken system that allows political power brokers to operate with impunity.
The ongoing political scandal in New Jersey is also reflected in the case of former Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who was convicted in July for corruption related to selling political influence in exchange for cash, gold, and luxury cars. The issue of political corruption has become a central theme in campaign discussions across the state.
Two lawsuits have been filed, one of which is led by Congressman Andy Kim, targeting the entrenched practices of New Jersey’s political parties, including the controversial “line” system that grants enormous power to party leaders like Salters. This practice allows county leaders to manipulate primary ballots to favor specific candidates, a tactic that has been shown to create insurmountable advantages and has been deemed unconstitutional by both federal district and appellate courts.
When approached for comments regarding Salters, Hillside School District Superintendent Erskine Glover and CFO David Eichenholtz did not respond to emails, phone calls, or public records inquiries. However, three sources familiar with the hiring process in Hillside indicated that Salters remains employed by the district.
Brett Pugach, an attorney involved in both lawsuits, emphasized that New Jersey continues to provide examples of how public officials, candidates, and party members often prioritize personal relationships or the private interests of party elites over the best interests of voters and the Constitution.
