Two of New Jersey’s leading public officials, Attorney General Matt Platkin and Rep./Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill, had some strong words about New Jersey politicians and corruption.

At a press conference, Platkin stated (as quoted by Politico):

It’s time for people in positions of authority in this state to spend a little more time questioning their own role in creating or enabling a system of corruption, and a little less time threatening those of us who are trying to do something about it.

Those are some strong words, AG Platkin.

Platkin’s strong words evidently apply to some “people in positions of authority” who are “enabling a system of corruption.”  In September, former-Wildwood Mayor Peter Byron pleaded guilty to defrauding the state health benefits program (as well as other counts) and is facing up to three years in prison, according the the Courier-Post.  He’s one of three Wildwood officials indicted by Platkin for abusing state health benefits.  So in these cases, Platkin’s words apply.

But what about other “people in positions of authority” who look like they did the same corrupt thing, such as former-Montclair Mayor/NJEA President/Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sean Spiller and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill?  Both happen to be good pals with Platkin’s boss, Gov. Murphy.  Spiller has been under “ongoing” state criminal investigation for misusing state health benefits for almost two years (per the Montclair Local).*  As reported by the Star-Ledger, Gill allegedly did the same thing and yet there has been no indication that he is under state investigation at all.  Hmmm.  Is this different treatment for Murphy’s pals? 

And then there’s Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who had this to say when she announced her run for governor (per New Jersey Globe):

We’ve had a series of corruption scandals… So voters have demanded, and the people of New Jersey deserve, transparency and accountability.

As she runs for New Jersey’s highest elected office, will Sherrill demand “transparency and accountability” for Murphy’s pals Spiller and Gill?

We’ll be watching Platkin and Sherrill to see if they live up to their strong words.

*Given his apparent ties to Spiller, Platkin has recused himself from the Spiller investigation, but presumably Attorney General’s standards apply to the Office of the Attorney General.