Brother-in-law of defrocked Morristown lawyer gets probation in pay-to-play scheme

Christopher Brown , at virtual hearing where he was admitted to Pretrial Intervention program, April 16, 2021. Screenshot by Kevin Coughlin
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The brother-in-law of a Morristown attorney who dodged campaign finance laws to secure public contracts was given a year’s probation on Friday for his alleged role in the pay-to-play scheme.

Christopher Brown, 38, of West Caldwell, was one of five persons accused of being a “straw donor” who helped Elizabeth Valandingham funnel illegal political contributions to public officials to secure municipal contracts for her law firm, O’Donnell McCord.

These alleged donors collectively made $239,000 in contributions that were secretly reimbursed by the firm, according to the state Attorney General’s office.

All were charged with concealment of campaign contributions, a fourth degree offense that carries potential penalties of 18 months in state prison and $10,000 in fines.

And all except for Brown’s wife, Vanessa Brown — Valandingham’s sister — now have been approved for Pretrial Intervention (PTI). Their charges will be erased if they successfully complete the probationary program. Prosecution still is pending against Vanessa Brown, 41.

“I wish you the best of luck,” Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna told Christopher Brown, during Friday’s brief virtual hearing.

Christopher Brown, who was represented by attorney Michael Gilberti, answered the judge’s questions but made no statements. He entered a “not guilty” plea as part of the PTI agreement, which raised no objections from state Deputy Attorney General Trevor Taniguchi.

Valandingham, 48, pleaded guilty earlier this week to tampering with public records and could receive 364 days in Morris County Jail when sentenced in June. She admitted concealing illegal payments in Mt. Arlington and Bloomfield, municipalities that paid her firm nearly $600,000 between 2013 and 2017.  She must surrender her law license and pay a $75,000 penalty.

Separately, four former public officials in Morris and Hudson counties face bribery charges linked to Valandingham’s law partner, Matt O’Donnell, a cooperating witness in that state investigation.

Christopher Brown allegedly made $53,050 in straw payments to various candidates between October 2010 and December 2016, according to the Attorney General’s office.

Campaign filings variously list him as an employee of Valandingham’s firm, O’Donnell McCord, and of IBEW Local 102.

Those filings show the Browns made donations to politicians in towns where they were not eligible to vote in local elections.

Vanessa Brown, who is an artist, according to election finance records, gave $2,600 to Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty’s re-election slate in 2013, a like amount to the Morris Township Republican Committee in 2015, and $500 to the Morris County GOP Committee in 2016.

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