HANOVER — On September 17, 2024, the New Jersey Local Finance Board (LFB), the state agency responsible for enforcing the Local Government Ethics Law, issued a Notice of Violation to Robert Cobane, a Commissioner for Hanover Township Fire District #2. The complaint included several allegations of Local Government Ethics Law violations, two of which were dismissed while two were sustained.
The investigation determined that Cobane voted to approve payments to himself, his mother, and his sister-in-law during board meetings, actions deemed to have created a conflict of interest under the law. Two allegations in the complaint were dismissed, while two were sustained, resulting in a $500 fine.
Dismissed Allegations:
An allegation that Cobane pressured the Fire Chief to permit a specific member to join the Whippany Fire Company. This was dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction over fire company by-laws and insufficient evidence to support the claim.
An allegation that Cobane’s dual roles as Fire District Commissioner and Lieutenant of the Whippany Fire Company were incompatible. This was dismissed due to a prior ruling under Complaint C20-025, which determined there was no conflict.
Sustained Allegations and Financial Conflicts:
The Board sustained allegations that Cobane, in his official capacity, voted on bill lists that included payments to himself and to family members, constituting a conflict of interest in violation of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5(d). Specifically:
- At the May 10, 2021, meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Cobane voted to approve payments of $125 each to his mother, Patricia Cobane, and his sister-in-law, Lauren Cobane, as well as a payment of $20 to himself.
- At the August 9, 2021, meeting, Cobane again voted to approve a payment of $20 to himself.
The Board determined that Cobane’s votes to approve these payments created a direct or indirect financial and personal conflict, impairing his objectivity and independence of judgment as outlined under Local Government Ethics Law.
Cobane was fined $250 for each violation, totaling $500, and was given 30 days to request an administrative hearing to contest the Notice. However, a November 14, 2024, response from the Local Finance Board to an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request revealed that Cobane has neither requested a hearing nor paid the $500 in fines. His ongoing failure to comply with the penalty requirements could result in additional fines under N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.10, Violations and Penalties.
