Will Embattled Toms River Councilman Tarnish GOP Ticket?

Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher has called for embattled Township Council Vice President John Sevastakis to step down following recent negative publicity in connection with a civil lawsuit, but insists he's not worried about the image of the all-Republican governing body being tarnished in an election year.

Kelaher pointed out the incident involving Sevastakis had nothing to do with his duties as a member of the governing body.

Sevastakis recently lost an appeal of a $761,0000 fraud verdict against him to a couple in a home rebuilding project, before he was elected to the Township Council.

Sevastakis allegedly forged a homeowner's signature and lied on construction permits.

State Appellatte Court Judges Carmen Messano and Mitchel E. Ostrer, in a decision dated August 27, 2015, ruled that Sevastakis made intentional misrepresentations on plans for an addition to the home of Frank and Josephine Coluccio.

A Monmouth County judge who oversaw the civil court trial said Sevastakis was “less than candid” during the trial.

"There's an old saying: Every top sits on its own bottom," said Kelaher, referring to the situation involving Sevastakis. He added, "It's got nothing to do with any of the candidates who are running for office."

Kelaher is seeking re-election along with at-large Councilmen GeorgeWittmann, Brian S. Kubiel, and Maurice "Mo" B. Hill.

"I think the record that we've established here in the last 8 years that I've been Mayor, pretty much speaks for itself," Kelaher added.