Spadea spotted supporting felon and Democrat in Keyport
Spadea spotted supporting felon and Democrat in Keyport
The 2025 candidate is betting on a criminal and a former Democrat in the Monmouth swing town.
Keyport - NJ 101.5 radio host and 2025 gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea was spotted in Keyport stumping for council candidates Joseph “JoJo” Merla and Althea Washington.
“Tonight we joined the Merla-Washington team for Keyport for their fundraiser. It’s always our pleasure to stand alongside local leaders who get what it takes to provide for the residents of the town,” wrote Spadea on X (formerly Twitter). “When they win in November they’ll join Mayor Rose [Araneo] and be great community leaders.”
It’s the latter portion, dubbing them “great community leaders,” that has been dogging Keyport voters, as the specter of the Merla brothers’ criminal record still haunts the Monmouth Bayshore, and the Republican party.
JoJo Merla, the current Planning Board chairman for Keyport, was convicted in federal court in 2007 for his role in "Operation Bid Rig,” a long-term investigation into political corruption in New Jersey conducted by the FBI, IRS, and the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Merla pleaded guilty to laundering $65,000 and served three months in federal prison.”
Court documents show that JoJo expressed an interest in helping to “wash” or “clean” money. He and Washington, a staunch Democrat up until a few days before the candidate filing date in 2024, are being primarily supported by brother and former mayor John Merla, who then U.S. Attorney Chris Christie nailed for extorting cash payments in exchange for agreeing to exercise official action and influence as mayor in the award of no-bid contracts.
Per court documents, from September 2003 until November 2004, former Mayor Merla “accepted a series of corrupt cash payments…. In return for the cash payments, defendant Merla agreed, among other things, to steer to [cooperating witness] contracts for public work in Keyport, to attempt to use his official influence to secure work for [cooperating witness] from private companies in Keyport, and to introduce [cooperating witness] to other influential public officials in Monmouth County who were similarly in a position to help [cooperating witness] secure public contracts.”
Spadea’s support for Merla and Washington is unsurprising. Spadea has previously held events at McDonagh’s Pub owned by an ally of Democrat Senator Vin Gopal, Kenneth Schwartz, and operated by JoJo Merla.
Spadea also shares a similar outlook on money as the Merlas who used restaurants and their own influence to line their pockets. Back in 2023, Politico reported on Spadea using his influence as a radio host to fundraise for other republican candidates, but less than one percent went to help candidates and organizations. Instead, groups paid for fundraising expenses as well as political consultants, noted Politico writer Matt Friedman. One of Spadea’s consultants to whom payouts were made is Ocean County Chair and fellow felon George Gilmore, a 2023 investigation by CJN noted.
CJN's investigation also showed that Spadea’s support for local candidates was of little impact. Keyport insiders have expressed fear that, due to the Merla brothers’ history and influence, and Spadea’s rhetoric, the Democrats will win in Keyport.
According to one resident, that fear is real.
”We need Republican leaders in Keyport, but it just cant be them,” said one resident, a staunch Republican, speaking anonymously to CJN. “What are we? The town haunted and led by criminals?”
_________________________________
Want more CJN? Make sure to follow us on our respective social media platforms. If you’re interested in joining the team, have questions about advertising, or want to send hate mail, please message us at press@centralnjwire.com.