Wowkanech Named in State Benefits Story

OCEAN CITY — An April 25 story from NorthJersey.com on state lobbyists who receive public salaries and other benefits from governmental appointments mentioned an Ocean City family as beneficiaries.
The following is an excerpt of that story:
“State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech, a registered lobbyist who was paid $154,736 by the union, plus $40,252 in ‘other compensation,’ according to 2008 IRS filings, the most recent available. Last year, he was paid $27,984 as an appointee to the Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission — a seat he was given despite a legal opinion from the Office of Legislative Services, which argued that Wowkanech lacked the experience required. Wowkanech — whose wife made $16,934 last year as an appointee to the Cape May County Board of Taxation — was enrolled in the state health benefits system until December. Another AFL-CIO employee, lobbyist Eric E. Richard, was paid $16,312 as a member of the Hunterdon County Board of Taxation and also received $4,664 for a part-time position at Rutgers University. Wowkanech did not respond to requests for comment.”
Click here to read the full story, courtesy of NorthJersey.com.