Subject: Challenger wants freeholder to resign as Mullica prosecutor: By THOMAS BARLAS Staff Writer, The Press; The Democratic candidate for the 5th District seat on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders wants his incumbent Republican opponent to resign his job as prosecutor in Mullica Township in light of an ethics code violation filed against him. Anthony Falcone alleges that James Curcio “refuses to answer charges that have been brought against him, and he continues to avoid any sort of accountability by attacking me personally.” Falcone charged that former Curcio campaign contributor Steve Waszen still owes fines and back taxes in Mullica Township. “What has Curcio done about it?” Falcone said. “A whole lot of nothing. It is time for Curcio to resign as prosecutor because there is a clear conflict of interest with his official duties as prosecutor and his campaign donors.” Atlantic County Democratic Committee Chairman Ron Ruff this week filed a complaint with the Atlantic County Ethics Board alleging Curcio violated the county's ethics code by not fully prosecuting Waszen in connection with illegal dumping and tree-cutting activities in Mullica Township. Ruff also alleges in the complaint that Curcio didn't push to recover fines, late fees and penalties imposed against Waszen and never told Mullica Township officials about Waszen's campaign contribution. Curcio admitted that Waszen gave him an $1,800 campaign contribution in 1999 but that it never influenced how he prosecuted Waszen. Curcio said he had forgotten about the donation, which was properly disclosed on state campaign finance reports, and that court records will prove that he aggressively and appropriately prosecuted Waszen. Curcio called the ethics complaint political. Falcone is a Hammonton Town Council member. Curcio confronted Falcone about the ethics complaint during Town Council's meeting Monday night, accusing Falcone of being behind the filing of the “bogus” charges. “I did not file a complaint against you,” an angry Falcone repeatedly told Curcio, adding the Town Council meeting wasn't the place to discuss the issue. The brief confrontation became increasingly heated, with Curcio eventually calling Falcone a “liar and a coward.”