Trump Pardons Ocean County Power Broker George Gilmore

TOMS RIVER, NJ — George Gilmore, the former chairman of the Ocean County Republican Party and widely regarded as one of the more powerful Republicans in New Jersey, has been granted a pardon by President Donald Trump.

Gilmore, 71, was convicted in April 2019 on two counts of failing to pay over payroll taxes withheld from employees to the IRS and one count of making false statements on a bank loan application submitted to Ocean First Bank.

He had been sentenced to 366 days in prison in January 2020 but his case had remained in the appellate court until December, when his appeal was rejected by a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The pardon was among 73 granted in a statement released at 1 a.m. Wednesday, in the final hours of Trump's presidency. He also commuted the sentences of 70 people. Read more: Trump Pardons Several Prominent – Some Convicted – NJ Figures

The White House statement on Gilmore's pardon said it was supported by former governors Chris Christie, James McGreevey, James Florio, Donald DiFrancesco, along with former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Also supporting the pardon were former 3rd District Rep. Tom MacArthur, Gerald Cardinale, Michael Testa Jr., David Avella, Joseph Buckelew, Lawrence Bathgate II, Larry Weitzner, Adam Geller, and Bill Stepien. Stepien served as Trump's campaign manager in 2020.

"Mr. Gilmore has made important civic contributions over his career in New Jersey," the White House statement said.

Gilmore was convicted following a two-week trial in 2019, but has repeatedly maintained his innocence. He claimed a hoarding disorder made him spend lavishly on personal expenses rather than make timely payments to the IRS.

Gilmore resigned from several posts he held, including as chairman of the Ocean County Board of Elections, and his chairmanship of the county Republican Party, in the wake of his conviction. But he had remained active behind the scenes, even as Frank Holman was chosen to succeed him as county GOP chair in a narrow vote.

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