Murphy DEP Deputy Commissioner Returns To Corporate Lobbying Firm
Will NJ Ethics Laws On Post Employment Restrictions Be Enforced?
In another egregious example of revolving door abuse, Murphy DEP’s Deputy Commissioner Sean Moriarty recently left the DEP to return to the corporate lobbying group Archer Public Affairs.
Moriarty serves as Director, Strategic Regulatory Affairs.
After more than a decade of public service, I have returned to the Archer family as a member of Archer Public Affairs. …
In my new role as a strategic advisor and consultant, I hope to bring my broad experience, insight and understanding of complex government systems and policymaker mindsets to help clients meet their goals in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
By his own words, obviously, that position involves regulatory policy work Moriarty was involved in at NJ DEP.
NJ ethics laws establish what are known as “post employment restrictions” on high level government policymaking officials who leave their state jobs for more lucrative work in the private sector: (Ethics Commission):
This memorandum presents a comprehensive overview of the State Ethics Commission’s decisions, policies and guidelines concerning the post-employment provisions of the Conflicts Law.
N.J.S.A. 52:13D-17 provides:
No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee, subsequent to the termination of his office or employment in any State agency, shall represent, appear for, negotiate on behalf of, or provide information not generally available to members of the public or services to, or agree to represent, appear for, negotiate on behalf of, or provide information not generally available to members of the public or services
But Mr. Moriarty flouted these restrictions, right out of the box: (Archer Public Affairs)
Sean Moriarty, Archer Public Affair’s Director, will serve as the moderator for the panel discussion at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey’s 2024 Energy & Environmental Outlook Forum. The Forum will feature the region’s leaders in the energy and utility industries, as well as high-level policymakers from the NJBPU and NJDEP. The half-day event will provide the latest news and information from the state, as well as the critical investments and new opportunities energy companies are pursuing across South Jersey.
I referred this abuse to the State Ethics Commission for investigation and appropriate enforcement.
This is another disgusting example of unethical abuse of the public interest by the corporate dominated Murphy DEP.