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Nidia Lopez: Jersey City Councilwoman, tax cheat, double voter

Nidia Lopez was elected to the Jersey City, NJ council in June. There's just one small problem, she "lives" in Orlando, Florida for tax purposes. By claiming her home in Orlando as her primary residence Ms. Lopez avoids thousands of dollars in Florida property taxes and New Jersey income taxes. Her election to the Jersey City council drew the interest of Orlando officials who have sent her a bill for $30,473.59 in back taxes. A resident of New Jersey cannot claim the Florida homestead tax exemption.

Of course that hasn't stopped Ms. Lopez from voting in both towns. Is it any surprise that she is a member in good standing of the Democratic party? One wise Latina, two votes! Just try finding out that particular fact from any of the news accounts of her problems. Neither the AP, Star-Ledger, or Jersey Journal felt it necessary to mention her political party affiliation. I've got a buck that says if she had been a Republican it would been the lead angle on the stories.

But tax hypocrisy by Democrats? She's probably in line for a cabinet position in the Obama Administration.

Meanwhile the runner-up in the June election is challenging her New Jersey residency since she lists her official domicile as Orlando Florida. So which is it, is Nidia Lopez a resident of Florida? Or of New Jersey? Or, at least in her mind, both — whichever is most convenient at the moment?

It's Hudson County New Jersey where the dead vote, and apparently the living vote twice. And most importantly, where paying taxes is somebody else's job.

Posted at 18:19 by Chris Wysocki   []   Comments | Archived | Perm Link |
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