Scheeler: Tilton's Involvement in Galloway Township News Website Boosted Settlement
Former Publisher Harry Scheeler claims she was involved from the beginning. Stories posted on that website transformed what would have been a $50,000 settlement into a $250,000 settlement, he claims.
Lisa Tilton has always been involved in the publication of Galloway Township News, former publisher Harry Scheeler stated in an email issued Wednesday night, March 6, and he states her involvement may have made a difference of $200,000 in her lawsuit settlement with the township.
In an email addressed to current and former members of council, Township Solcitor Michael Fitzgerald, Township Manager Arch Liston, Police Chief Patrick Moran, former Solicitor Michael Blee, Township Clerk Thalia C. Kay and members of the media Thursday night, Scheeler stated that Tilton has been involved with the website since its inception, and that the majority of the content was written by her.
"To the best of my recollection all but one post about Lisa Tilton was written by Lisa Tilton or she provided all information which included the color copy of her discipline record," Scheeler wrote in the email. "Tilton also later admitted some of the anonymous information received by email was sent by her and former Mayor Keith Hartman."
He went on to state that Tilton filed 95 percent of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPRA) requests with the township, filed complaints with the Government Records Council (GRC) in the name of Galloway Township News, and was communicating with employees in the township as to the step-by-step process the township was engaged in while handling her lawsuit. That information was used to generate stories on the site, and ultimately led to the township settling for $250,000, rather than an alleged initial offer by the township of $50,000, Scheeler said.
The full text of that email can be found by clicking here.
Scheeler referenced two emails he sent to Tilton's Attorney Steven Srenaski, which Srenaski claimed he never received due to a technical error. He said he discovered the emails in a spam folder Thursday morning.
The emails stem from an OPRA request filed by Galloway Patch concerning emails exchanged between Scheeler and Police Chief Patrick Moran. Scheeler accused Tilton of being involved in the filing of that OPRA request. Tilton responded and Scheeler stated he "was done with Galloway."
He then contacted Srenaski and asked to have Tilton stop contacting him. Those emails were provided to Galloway Patch by Scheeler Wednesday night.
In the emails obtained by Galloway Patch via that request, Scheeler and Moran discuss the lawsuit filed by police officer Brian Tennant.
Scheeler left a comment concerning the lawsuit on a story published by Patch, and Moran contacted him via email to reaffirm his position that he will continue to pursue the issue in court so that the whole story can come out.
Scheeler referenced Tilton’s lawsuit against the township in which she accused former Manager Steve Bonanni of sexual harassment, and claimed there was a conspiracy between Bonanni and former Councilman Dennis Kleiner to have her removed from her position as township clerk. That suit was settled for $250,000. Part of the suit, involving Blee, is ongoing, according to Tilton.
“I have from day one told the truth about every detail of what had transpired with regards to Lisa Tilton,” former Councilman Dennis Kleiner wrote in an email Wednesday night. “ … I sincerely hope that this is the end of it once and for all, but whether you like me or not know one thing, I'm no liar. I speak my mind, and I did my best to do the job I was elected to do.”
Tilton had no comment. Tilton's Attorney Steven Srenaski stated that due to a technical error, he didn't immediately receive the emails when Scheeler said he sent them, but discovered them in his spam folder Thursday morning. Beyond that, he had no comment.
"I've never had anything to do with Galloway Township News other than as a reader and a couple articles," Hartman said. "I wrote opinion letters at the request of Mr. Scheeler."
Mayor Don Purdy had no comment Thursday morning. Township Manager Arch Liston and Solicitor Michael Fitzgerald didn't return messages seeking comment Thursday morning.
Galloway Township Police Lt. Chris Doyle was unable to comment Thursday morning. Doyle is the Acting Police Chief.
Scheeler launched Galloway Township News in 2011, and the first story detailed the township’s release of Tilton’s private information to a third party not involved in the case.
On Thursday night, Scheeler revealed that story was written by him, but heavily influenced by Tilton.
Other stories were written by Tilton, Scheeler said, and the “News Desk” byline was used because Scheeler didn’t want to mislead anyone reading the site. It’s also why he would often state “Galloway Township News has learned” as opposed to “Harry Scheeler has learned.”
Over time, Galloway Township News uncovered a lot of corruption in Galloway government. Most of that corruption was uncovered by Tilton, according to Scheeler. He said she knew exactly what documents to search for.
Other issues, such as former Manager Steve Bonanni’s alleged engagement in illegal activities on township time, were uncovered by Scheeler. Scheeler also stated terrylucarelli.com, which focuses on former Galloway Township Republican League Municipal Chairperson Terry Luccarrelli, was his idea and entirely run by him.
Scheeler finally sold the website to Tilton after he received an email from an anonymous employee, stating that a network of Galloway employees conspired to lie to him about supposed conduct unbecoming township officials.
This included the forging of documents, the source told Scheeler. He subsequently sold the website to Tilton for an undisclosed amount of money, and Tilton began operation of the site for a certain period of time before revealing she was the new publisher.
Scheeler finally said he had enough of the lies, and decided to come clean to the police department Wednesday night.
galloway7757
2:18 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
That now explains why it seemed that Scheeler had an obsession with Tilton. He should have said something a lot earlier. Now his reputation is worse off than anyone else's.
All I can do now is shake my head.
Red
3:29 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Maybe they can all share the same jail cell. A township employee helping the person suing the township by illegally feeding her information in regard to the township's moves on her case. Certainly the Joint Insurance Fund will be quite happy to go after not only the township but also the employee who elected to try to defraud them by helping the ex-employee.
This is why Galloway township is in deep trouble -- multiple hires who possess not an ounce of integrity and not comforting to know that "many of the township informants who provided information were directly recruited by Tilton." Basically they were biting the hand of the taxpayer that fed them.
Stan Walker
3:51 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
. . . and they almost got away with it.
Keep Galloway Green
4:18 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I always thought there was an odd connection between Scheeler & Tilton. Galloway Twp News started right after Tiltons resignation went into effect Oct 2011. But Harry told me I had a few screws loose. Tilton gave the impression that there was no connection even though almost every story on there was about the Tilton saga . I never fully believed Tilton's stories...they just didn't add up. Seems like Harry's credability goes to zero. Same for Tilton. Seems like Tilton is absolutely obsessed with Galloway. I'm wondering if Galloway can turn around & sue Tilton & Scheeler for their charade known as Galloway Twp News. State should come in & kick everyone out of Municipal Complex....fumigate & start with new faces. This town is a mess!
Shawn G
5:08 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Green Scheeler told you, you had screws loose cause it was probably Tilton telling you that. I agree she should pay back money and all court costs.
smithvillian
5:15 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Well....ain't that somethin'....the people of Galloway are getting fleeced from all sides. Those that know government, how to run it and take advantage of it are flocking to Galloway and lining their pockets. My prediction....you just wait and see what some of the newbies on council and in high ranking admin roles take this town for....it's gonna be a bloodbath.
Keep Galloway Green
7:15 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I'm wondering why Harry was in Police Station?....Spilling the beans. Why did Harry permit himself to be a front for Tilton's vendetta? Just how much was Hartman involved?....Hartman & Tilton both have axes to grind against Galloway. Was Harry just a pawn in their game? Was there any fraud committed in getting OPRA requests? If Tilton was making requests pretending to be Harry....that might be a problem. What a sordid tangled up mess! Why did Harry let this charade go on for ! 1/2 years? If Galloway can recover $$$ from Tilton they should.
TheZog
6:57 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
At the end of the day, the Galloway corruption that was uncovered was valid. Make sure that you do not marginalize that by being distracted by this history of events. Regardless of the intent of the blog or the benfits to some, the corruption was there.
VTPat
7:37 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
I was hoping for an answer to a very basic question I posted on this blog but it was removed, thanks alot! This story is poorly written. There is no explanation as to why it is a story and how it relates to previous events, thus my question. Anthony you wrote this as if everyone reading this is an "insider." That's OK Anthony I'll seek answers elsewhere.
Keep Galloway Green
8:38 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
If Lisa Tilton was lying to a Judge about her involvement with Galloway Twp News....I have funny feeling she's in a world of trouble. Reminds me of that Atlantic City case with Langford & Marsh...They were ordered to pay back that $800,000. Lying under oath can get you thrown in jail. Galloway should file countersuit against Tilton forthwith to recoup $$$. I have a funny feeling Hartman is more involved than he appears. Hartman...Tilton & Scheeler give me a real funny feeling....lololol......Strange corner of the Twilight Zone Galloway is!
Keep Galloway Green
8:47 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Now Harry claims Autism....Too Funny. Now Harry says Tilton funded part of website. ...Where is that "Brian" guy who was a big defender of Tilton? Was Brian ...Tilton? Bet this news doesn't help Tilton's lawsuits against the Board of Elections & Blee.
Peter
8:48 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Not that surprised at the chain of events. But still many questions remain as to who was/is posting and responding to comments on other sites as well. Apparently Scheeler was at the police station, later that night he commented on another post then wrote his "confession" email that same night? Makes you wonder if that was really him posting? And of course questions as to why Scheeler would get involved in this to begin with and why he is coming clean now? I'm sure there are multiple posters on here that are actually just one person and I think we all know who that one person really is. And this revelation of news also makes you wonder the origin of the threats that were sent to Hartman. This all seems like one big circus event laced with revenge and deception.
Keep Galloway Green
8:52 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Who knows...maybe Middle Township will pop up with a countersuit....if they can.
Peter
9:10 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Albert, you're right. All the stories on that site are now gone. Wonder why?
Samantha Siang
9:19 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
So why hasn't anyone requested to have the Atlantic County prosecutors office look into the matter on behalf on the Galloway Township government? This is too funny.
Peter
9:24 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
When is the AC Press going to report on this?
Keep Galloway Green
10:16 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Here's my guess as to those "threats" against Hartman....My guess is >>>> Hartman!....If Hartman could gain some sympathy then he could retain his position as Mayor ( maybe).But that didn't happen. Funny how the cops could never find the culprit. Do I get the reward Lisa?....lmao@thiswholemess.
Keep Galloway Green
10:19 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Question for Anthony....How many posts has the Patch deleted because Tilton complained?...1 ? ....10?....Over 1000? I think readers would like to know!
Peter
11:21 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Green, what if the threats came from Tilton herself? In some attempt as you say and to attempt to make a point that something was going on.
Keep Galloway Green
1:24 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Ok so Tilton is your guess. Could be.....Any other guesses out there?....I'm torn between Hartman & the one armed man for my guess....lol
Stan Walker
11:52 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
Maybe the township can recover the costs associated with this and all the other messes by selling the movie and book rights.
JerseyDevil
12:06 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
The internet is ruining journalism and this bad joke helps bare that out. I've questioned the journalistic integrity of the Galloway Patch before and this article helps bare that out. Somebody got played.
Keep Galloway Green
1:52 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Galloway should countersue Tilton for that $250,000 + all those legal expenses. Recover taxpayer funds....that's what they should do!
David Carmen
9:25 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
How about we as a town move forward from this and begin to make Galloway one of the best places to live. We have nowhere to go but up. If the people that care about making a difference get involved in a positive way, changes can be made. Pointing out the bad in things is more fun than working toward a common goal. The impact make today can set the future for tomorrow.
Keep Galloway Green
9:29 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
"If" Harry's email is correct....then both him & Tilton might very well be looking at Insurance Fraud charges....which could put both in jail. I don't feel sorry for either one of them. I'm wondering how much a part of this involved Hartman? Galloway should sue to recoup $$$$....& file criminal charges forthwith!
Keep Galloway Green
2:07 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Harry...Did you ever hear of aiding & abetting?....You knew all along Tilton was writing articles but pretending they came from you. You knew Tilton lied to Judge....and you said nothing as she was paid. You misled everyone in Galloway ( although some people had their doubts) . Getting insurance $$$ under false pretenses is called insurance fraud. You helped her with that....face the facts! My "psychotic" rants as you put it are the least of your problems. Blaming your poor social skills & Autism are handy & laughable. You helped Tilton for almost 1 1/2 years defraud Galloway/Indian Harbor Insurance. I say Galloway/Indian Harbor should sue & file criminal charges against Tilton...Scheeler & anybody else who was in on this fraud. By not saying anything until after Tilton was paid will make it harder for Galloway to recoup those funds & cause extra legal expenses. Get it?....
Keep Galloway Green
6:03 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
If I were you Harry....I would be more worried about being sued by Galloway & Indian Harbor....and criminal charges. Seems like you want to blame everything on the big bad wolf Tilton....lol......Your email to Galloway makes you seem like a spineless wimp. Tooo Funnny!
galloway7757
7:51 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
I can't follow any more of these comments. Let's set it straight, Scheeler and Tilton are both at fault.
On Tuesday afternoon, there will be a special meeting at the municipal complex prior to the council meeting. I am completely expecting that the township will file a lawsuit against Tilton at the least. I also expect the township to settle and hand Bonanni the payout money that he is demanding.
What makes me sick is that Tilton is still writing on gallowaytwpnews.com like nothing is going on here. The website should be shut down as soon as possible.
Albert
7:58 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Why would this guy just hang himself out there unless this is true and he is truly sorry. Tilton said she had no comment she didn't even deny what he said happen and on top of that Tilton obviously took down all the articles she is accused of writing. I see on the agenda that a special meeting is being held about Tilton Vs Galloway and that action may be taken. I'm guessing they are going to turn around and sue her now. Seems silly to me Tilton knows the truth she should stop the games and explain to us all what took place.
Peter
10:55 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
Disgusted: you say the township forever discharged all claims. I'm no lawyer but could all of this be revisited since it was settled under false pretenses, misrepresentation? As far as that website the impression was given that it was run, owned and operated by Scheeler. I'm sure every person reading it was under the impression it was under the direct control of Scheeler. Crazy turnabout here.
Peter
11:56 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
I think we know what side you're on. And I would strongly disagree anyone commenting on here could be sued for harassment. That's actually ridiculous.
Peter
11:57 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
And if council knows why they settled why are they having a meeting tonight?
JerseyDevil
12:33 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Probably to discuss what recourse, if any, they have. Maybe they shouldn't have settled? But they did. I wonder who advised them to settle? If I'm not mistaken there was at least one other party to the lawsuit that didn't sign on to the settlement. Blee. It'll be interesting to see what happens with that.
Peter
12:10 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
So you're from Galloway, you're informed of all the layoffs, employees etc. yet you had to google about Galloway? I think everyone knows who you are here.
Peter
12:41 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Maybe it's Brian McCoyle?
Peter
12:51 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Property taxes used properly. Isn't that what council is meeting to discuss? There may be a chance property taxes weren't used properly and paid out in a lawsuit improperly. The residents have a right to recoup that money, if possible, and to impose punishment if something/someone manipulated that outcome.
Keep Galloway Green
2:10 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Harry...You got a lot of nerve coming on here after lying to Everyone for over a year. Then to lecture people. It must give you & Tilton a big thrill to deceive everyone. I hope Galloway sues & files criminal charges against Tilton...Scheeler & whoever else was in on their scam. I don't beleive Harry Scheeler is the innocent victim he now portrays himself as.
Keep Galloway Green
2:27 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Harry...You comments are laughable......your totally clueless. Your the one that keeps bringing up the Hartman /Tilton subject. I hope you get a good lawyer....maybe claim insanity!....lol
Keep Galloway Green
2:51 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Where is your buddy Brian?....What rock is he hiding under?....lol.....I remember the good old days when Harry & Brian said Tilton would get 30 - 50 mil $$$$. lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.......
Peter
3:29 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
WOW! Harry, Green does make a point. By reading back through all the comments concerning this you were quite harsh on people who had their doubts about the validity of all this concerning this lawsuit. It does seems a bit strange for you to come back and comment. But kudos for you for setting it straight. I would say it's safe to say, either Tilton or both of you have commented under different names, one being Brian McCoyle.
Peter
4:56 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
So it appears Scheeler has deleted all his comments. Wonder why?
Keep Galloway Green
9:06 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
He doesn't want any damning evidence against himself on here. He an out of town Nit Wit.
Keep Galloway Green
11:04 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
So what happened at the "Special Meeting" tonite?
Peter
12:08 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Green, it appears no action was taken on this. But I wonder why Scheeler retracted all his comments on here and why Tilton retracted all the articles concerning the lawsuit off the site? That action makes Scheeler's accusation credible.
Donna Ann Thomas
3:44 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
They both retracted things they wrote, so how does that make one guilty and one innocent?
Keep Galloway Green
12:11 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Did you ever consider they both might be guilty. I'm sure Scheeler has one version & Tilton has another. Where did that blog get them?....Tooo Funny!
Peter
5:39 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Donna, I don't think it makes either one either. But Scheeler has written something stating a chain of events that has occurred. He commented on here. Not sure why he deleted all the comments. Speculating, maybe he felt himself getting caught up in this again. Maybe his attorney or someone else told him it was best to stay quiet. His email is still on here. But, the reason why I say it makes his accusations more credible is that we have not heard one word from Tilton on this. And it does seem suspicious that she deletes those stories right after Scheeler admits to what has been going on since day one. It does make more sense if she wrote the stories with her knowledge of how things operate in Galloway.
Keep Galloway Green
7:12 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
No action taken means >>>>yet<<<<. I find it odd Scheeler comes on here & tells everyone the authorities are gonna round up his messages. As far as I'm concerned...Tilton = Nit Wit 1.....Scheeler = Nit Wit 2. Galloway residents would be better off not beleiving a word they say.
Donna Ann Thomas
8:05 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
One thing I know ... our taxes are sky high. And not because of a small Galloway School Tax increase, or opening a Senior Center ...
Keep Galloway Green
7:20 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I hope they get hit with Federal Wire Fraud charges....using the internet to further their scam. Put that in your screen shot Harry!
Keep Galloway Green
11:20 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Still talking like a Nit Wit Harry....What do you prefer....jail or the looney bin?.....lololololol
Peter
9:21 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Scheeler, went back and read your email to the council. In that you state that all of the stories submitted on your site Tilton authored. You say that she was behind 95% of the OPRA request to the township. She was responsible for the GRC complaints. You say she had your email password etc. You then say neither of you used a byline. So basically you are saying Tilton did everything under your name and now you want to come forward with the truth. You made a comment that you never signed your name to any story etc. You may not have signed your name but you did take ownership. You commented on here claiming what your actions have uncovered. You took ownership of the OPRA requests claiming they were yours and how you did it. You went on different media sites making all these claims that it was you that accomplished all this. I'm not saying you're being untruthful now, but you cannot fault people for questioning what your motives are now. It wouldn't be out of the question for some to think that your actions now may be motivated by money? Were you promised something for all this and Tilton didn't deliver? It seems there is something missing here.
Peter
12:14 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
"Some of the GRC complaints were encouraged by Tilton and I had her assistance is filing them. The Sunshine Law violation filed with the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office was written by Tilton and signed by me."
I guess the point with these is that you, Harry, didn't really do this on your own. Had it not been for her "assistance" or encouragement, you would not have filed them. So what you're really saying is that you filed them, but Tilton was really behind them. And the Sunshine one was entirely her with just your signature. Why wouldn't she just file that one herself? Did she delete the articles to hide the true source of the articles?