Hoarding Defense On Hold, Potential Conflicts Debated In GOP Leader’s Case

  TRENTON – A pretrial hearing will be held about whether the attorney representing a local political leader has any potential conflicts of interest.

  The case revolves around George R. Gilmore, the head of the Ocean County Republican Club, whose law firm, Gilmore & Monahan, services several municipalities.

  He was indicted on six counts by a federal grand jury: one count of tax evasion; two counts of failing to collect, account for, and pay over payroll taxes for two quarters of one year; two counts of filing a false tax return; and one count of alleged loan application fraud.

  His attorney, Kevin Marino, told Jersey Shore Online that the pretrial hearing on March 8 is for the government’s motion to determine if there are any potential conflicts of interest since his firm represents Gilmore as well as Gilmore & Monahan, its partners and employees.

  Gilmore allegedly owes more than $1 million in federal taxes while having spent more than $2.5 million on extravagant personal expenses. The defense attorney has stated that his spending comes from a hoarding disorder.

  The defense had provided the testimony of Dr. Steven Simring, a psychiatrist and author, who argued that Gilmore’s behavior was due to hoarding, classified as a clinical disorder.  

  “We have provided the government with Dr. Simring’s report and the government has moved to exclude his testimony. We are in the process of responding to that motion, which will not be addressed at Friday’s hearing,” he said.

If convicted, Gilmore may face up to 3 years for each count of filing a false tax return, up to 5 years for each count of failing to collect payroll taxes, and 30 years for loan application fraud. He also faces fie from $250,000 to $1 million.