Democrats want Atlantic City mayor, councilman out of office without pay

Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam leaving City Hall on November 13, 2018, two days after being involved in a fight outside a casino nightclub. (Amy Rosenberg/Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS) TNS (Amy Rosenberg/Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)


In a move that is rarely seen in politics, a political party is denouncing one of its members currently serving in office.

Inside the Local 54 building on Atlantic Avenue, members of the Atlantic City Democratic Committee voted 27-3 on a resolution asking Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam and City Councilman-at-large Jeffree Fauntleroy II to leave their positions without pay while an investigation continues surrounding an alleged assault at the Haven Night Club at the Golden Nugget Hotel. The resolution will be sent to the governor and lieutenant governor.

Criminal complaints of simple assault and harassment against the two men allege Gilliam threw punches at two people, "kept trying to attack" one of the witnesses and allegedly chased a person around a car. Fauntleroy allegedly punched a person in the face multiple times, threw the person on the floor, and then chased him.

"We apologize to the Golden Nugget hotel and to the citizens of our city. We denounce in the strongest terms the egregious situation mayor Frank Gilliam and councilman-at-large Jeffree Fauntleroy placed themselves in," the committee said. "Both Democrat elected officials were previously endorsed by the Atlantic City Democratic Committee. We find this atmosphere of inappropriate behavior and transgressions to be unacceptable, specifically regarding the alleged behavior towards women while serving in a public capacity. Such behavior is beyond the norms of conduct of elected officials. This alleged conduct is disgraceful and is extremely disturbing and should not go without reproach."

The committee also asked for Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver to use their authority to temporarily suspend and remove both from their positions without pay until the legal process is resolved. The mayor's salary is $103,000 a year, according to the city's records.

"As an executive, the governor has the power and authority under the constitution of the state of New Jersey is duly empowered to take such action to protect the safety, security, and well-being of the citizens from any and all harm or threats on any level," the committee said in the resolution. "The reputation of the city of Atlantic City is in question and is in jeopardy as a result of tumultuous, thuggish and aggressive behavior, leaving a trail of financial liability on the backs of the heavily burdened taxpayers."

Party chairperson Gwen Lewis said the men should be held to the same policies other city employees face when in a similar situation.

"I think the state will now see that the local people are upset about it and we expect something to be done and something to let them know that they do not accept that type of behavior, no matter who it is," Lewis said. "If an employee that works for Atlantic City, the mayor's policy is if they get in some kind of criminal trouble, they are suspended without pay until the outcome of that court decision. Why are he and the councilman held to a different standard? They are elected officials, and they should be held to a higher standard than the regular employees. It's not fair."

Committee member John Devlin thinks the resolution will send a strong message.

"This is a good showing of the Democratic committee, and it is the voice of the community," Devlin said. "Hopefully that message will shoot right to the governor's or lieutenant governor's office, and a message to our other elected officials, the mayor, and councilmen. These type of violent acts will not be tolerated by us, the police or the community. We do not want to be liable anymore."

City Council President Marty Small Sr. was also in attendance. When asked if the two men should resign, Small Sr. said he was focusing on other things at the moment.

"As I stated, while all this is transpiring, I am focused on my leadership role as City Council president, and my main goal is for the 2019 budget and to help our employees and get the taxpayers and businesses some much-needed tax relief," the council president said.

When NJ Advance Media asked if the committee had looked to recall the mayor, the committee said it would wait until the decision of the court.

For a recall vote to be convened, 25 percent of the registered voters in the municipality have to sign a petition with their address supporting a recall. According to the Atlantic County Commissioner of Registration office, Atlantic City currently has 22,944 registered voters, meaning a minimum of 5,736 voters would have to sign the petition.

If the petition received the required about of signatures, the municipal clerk would examine the petition and make sure the names, signatures, and addresses are valid. If the clerk certifies the petition, Gilliam would be served notice within two days that a recall will be underway. Gilliam will then have five days to determine if he wishes to resign. If he does not, a recall election would be held.

Chris Franklin can be reached at Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews. Find on FacebookHave a tip? Tell us.