Walter F. Timpone

Walter Francis Timpone (born November 10, 1950) is an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, having been sworn in 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] His term ends with mandatory retirement in 2020.[6]

Walter F. Timpone
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey
Incumbent
Assumed office May 2, 2016
Appointed by	Chris Christie
Preceded by	John E. Wallace, Jr.
Personal details
Born	Walter Francis Timpone (1950-11-10) November 10, 1950
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	St. Francis College (B.A.) New York University (M.A.) Seton Hall University (J.D.)

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.[7]

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 Doctorate 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. He resides in Cranford, New Jersey.

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.[7] In 2002, he was considered for first assistant to Christie, then NJ's US district attorney, 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 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 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-in 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 Murhy announced he would nominate Fabiana Pierre-Louis, a 39-year-old South Jersey resident and former US. attorney[22], as Timpone's replacement.[23]

See also

• Governorship of Chris Christie
• Philip Kwon
• List of justices of the Supreme Court of New Jersey

References

1. "Christie praises 'good friend' Timpone as new Supreme Court justice is sworn in". NJ.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
2. "Ceremonial Swearing-In for Justice Walter F. Timpone" (PDF) (Press release). NJ Judiciary. June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
3. DUSTIN RACIOPPI. "Christie announces Supreme Court nominee". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
4. "Christie's Supreme Court pick approved by Senate". Philly.com. April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
5. "Christie's N.J. Supreme Court pick confirmed, ending long vacancy". NJ.com. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
6. "Christie gives in to Democrats after 6-year fight over Supreme Court". New Jersey 101.5 – Proud to be New Jersey – New Jersey News Radio. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
7. "Walter F. Timpone - Attorneys - McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP". Retrieved April 11, 2016.
8. "Problem Arises In Candidacy For Top Aide To Prosecutor". The New York Times. February 12, 2002. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
9. "Christie, Democrats agree on N.J. Supreme Court nominee". NJ.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
10. "New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission". Retrieved April 11, 2016.
11. Boburg, Shawn (January 22, 2014). "GWB scandal: Ex-Christie aide Bridget Anne Kelly hires new lawyer". The Record. Woodland Park, NJ. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
12. "Attorney for former Chris Christie aide in GWB scandal is out, citing conflict". NJ.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
13. Sherman, Ted (July 6, 2014). "NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case". The Stat-Ledger. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
14. "Charges against DiVincenzo over misuse of campaign funds facing dismissal". NJ.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
15. "Christie cripples ethics watchdog to help his Democratic pal, DiVincenzo - Moran". NJ.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
16. "Christie Supreme Court pick scrutinized over political favor". NJ.com. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
17. SALVADOR RIZZO. "Questions raised on new N.J. Supreme Court justice's role in campaign case". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
18. Stile, Charles. "Stile: State Supreme Court announcement comes wrapped in a white flag". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
19. "Christie, Sweeney Strike Deal to Name Democrat to Open Supreme Court Seat". Retrieved April 12, 2016.
20. Kate King (April 12, 2016). "Chris Christie Nominates Democrat to New Jersey Supreme Court". WSJ. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
21. "On the fast track? Christie's N.J. Supreme Court nominee could clear Senate on Monday". NJ.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
22. https://www.mmwr.com/attorney/fabiana-pierre-louis/
23. https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/06/murphy-to-announce-new-nominee-to-nj-supreme-court.html