About
The SCI is an independent fact-finding agency whose mission is to investigate waste, fraud and abuse of government tax dollars.
It is empowered to monitor and assess the threat posed by organized crime and to recommend new laws and other systemic remedies to protect the integrity of the governmental process on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey. The Commission is required by law to pursue these investigations beyond the sphere of political influence or favoritism. The law requires the SCI’s findings to be made public through written reports and/or public hearings. Over the course of more than 55 years since the Commission’s establishment in 1968, it has conducted more than 135 investigations. The Commission’s work has saved taxpayers millions of dollars and has been the catalyst for numerous important statutory, regulatory and administrative reforms bolstering the integrity of government at all levels.
The framers of the SCI’s enabling statute in 1968 felt it was vital for this expert independent agency to function at arm’s length from the routine partisan and bureaucratic fray of state government.
To eliminate even the appearance of political influence in the SCI’s operations, no more than two of the Commission’s four members may be of the same political party. They derive from three separate appointing authorities (the Governor, Senate President and Assembly Speaker), and serve staggered four-year terms. Further, members and staff of the SCI are prohibited from participating in non-federal political activity in New Jersey .
The significant fact that the SCI is funded through the Legislature and is not tethered to the Executive branch is central to the construct that provides the SCI with the integrity and the independent stature necessary to perform its job in a credible fashion. In addition, the Commission also makes recommendations for systemic regulatory reforms.
The State Commission of Investigation (SCI) was created in 1968 amid an intensifying problem involving organized crime and political corruption. Extensive inquiry by a special Joint Legislative Committee to Study Crime and the System of Criminal Justice in New Jersey confirmed a crisis in those areas and issued sweeping recommendations to improve key areas of the state’s criminal justice apparatus.
The most significant recommendations resulted in the creation of a state-level Division of Criminal Justice under the control of the Attorney General, and the establishment of an independent Commission of Investigation. The Division was empowered to conduct and supervise criminal investigations and prosecutions. The Commission, meanwhile, was designed to conduct fact-finding investigations, bring the facts to the public’s attention, refer findings to appropriate law enforcement agencies for possible prosecution and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for improvements in laws and in the operations of government.
As the Joint Committee stated in the final report of its comprehensive study, this would not be “a ‘crime commission’ alone. There are many occasions when hard-hitting, expert fact-finding is needed without involving the criminal process or implying criminal violations are under investigation. . . .This Commission will provide a significant, independent ‘watchdog’ for the entire system. . . .”
The Commission’s initial enabling legislation established a temporary term beginning January 1, 1969 , and ending December 31, 1974 . The Legislature extended the term for five-year periods on four subsequent occasions: in 1973 for a term expiring December 31, 1979 ; in 1979 for a term expiring December 31, 1984 ; in 1984 for a term expiring December 31, 1989 ; and in 1989 for a term expiring December 31, 1994.
The Commission’s status as a temporary agency subject to periodic review came to an end effective January 7, 2002 . On that date, legislation was signed establishing the Commission as a permanent entity of New Jersey government.
Our mission, through fact-finding investigations, public reports and hearings, is to maintain a constant vigil against the intrusion of organized crime into society; to identify and expose corruption and governmental laxity; to shed light on waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayers’ dollars; and to recommend new laws and other remedies to protect the integrity of the governmental process on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey.
In order to achieve this vital mission effectively, fairly and impartially, we pursue our work independently, within a framework untainted by politics, self-interest or favoritism.
We value the assistance and cooperation of federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies.
We take great pride in our service and recognize as crucial our solemn responsibility to continually earn and maintain the respect of the citizens of this state.
The Commission, through a professional staff of attorneys, special investigative agents, accountants, support and administrative personnel, specifically is vested by law with the duty and power to conduct investigations in connection with:
- The faithful execution and effective enforcement of laws of the state, with particular reference but not limited to organized crime and racketeering;
- The conduct of public officers and public employees, and of officers and employees of public corporations and authorities;
- Any matter concerning the public peace, public safety and public justice
The Commission may conduct public and private hearings, compel testimony and the production of other evidence by subpoena and has authority to grant limited immunity from prosecution to witnesses. Since the Commission does not have prosecutorial functions, it is required to refer information suggesting possible criminal misconduct immediately to the Attorney General.
One of the Commission’s primary statutory responsibilities is to bring the results of its fact-finding investigations to the public’s attention with the goal of promoting remedies and reforms. The format for public action by the Commission is based on the complexity of the subject and the clarity, accuracy and thoroughness with which the facts can be presented. The Commission has proceeded by way of public hearings, the issuance of public reports, or both.
Commissioners
John P. Lacey
Chair
John P. Lacey
Mr. Lacey was appointed to the Commission in January 2022 by Governor Phil Murphy. Co-managing partner of the Newark Office of Connell Foley LLP, he is Chair of the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense practice. Mr. Lacey has decades of experience managing internal investigations, particularly those involving fraud, financial crimes, mismanagement and corruption. Prior to joining Connell Foley in 1990, Mr. Lacey was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, where he successfully prosecuted one of the first international terrorists apprehended in the United States. Past President of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, he is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York and New Jersey State Bar Associations. A graduate of Arizona State University, Mr. Lacey received his law degree from Seton Hall University.
Kevin R. Reina
Commissioner
Kevin R. Reina
Mr. Reina was appointed to the Commission in October 2020 by Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. An attorney who specializes in real estate law, Mr. Reina has spent most of his legal career in private practice. For the past ten years, he has been the Managing Counsel for the New Jersey-based in-house litigation office of a Fortune 500 title insurance company. Mr. Reina earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees from St. John’s University in Queens, NY. He also received a Master’s Degree in Theology from Seton Hall University. In 2016, he was ordained as a Deacon for the Roman Catholic Church and currently serves in that capacity in the Archdiocese of Newark.
Joseph E. Kelley
Commissioner
Joseph E. Kelley
Mr. Kelley was appointed to the Commission in January 2025 by Governor Phil Murphy. A former Administrative Law Judge, he has more than four decades of legal experience in New Jersey, working primarily as a trial attorney at numerous firms. Until 2024, Mr. Kelley had worked for the past sixteen years as a senior trial lawyer for Zirulnik, Sherlock & DeMille in the law firm’s Roseland office. He is currently handling alternate dispute resolution. A graduate of Emerson College, Mr. Kelley received his law degree from Seton Hall University.
A. Todd Mayo
Commissioner
A. Todd Mayo
Mr. Mayo was appointed to the Commission in February 2025 by Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari. A former municipal court judge and workers compensation judge, Mr. Mayo has practiced law in New Jersey for more than 30 years. The founder of the private practice firm Mayo Law, PA in East Brunswick, Mr. Mayo specializes in personal injury and workers compensation. A United States Air Force Veteran and graduate of Kean University, Mr. Mayo earned his law degree from Western Michigan University Law School. He is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association. Prior to serving on the Commission, Mr. Mayo was the Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards.