Assemblywoman Katie Brennan Responds to GOP Assemblyman’s Ethics Complaint: “Please Be Serious”

Jersey City, NJ — Assemblywoman Katie Brennan (D-Jerey City) released the following statement in response to reports that Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris) has filed an ethics complaint regarding her legislation, the Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered Act (A4446):

“While my colleagues and I are working to protect New Jersey residents from masked ICE agents, Assemblyman Bergen is busy filing complaints about a bill name. Please be serious.

“This is the same Assemblyman who called one of his colleagues a swear word on the Assembly floor. He clearly doesn’t have an issue with profanity. He has an issue with ICE being held accountable for kidnapping and murdering people.

“I'm going to keep fighting for my constituents, and the Assemblyman can keep doing whatever this is.”

Background on Assemblyman Bergen’s documented history of conduct issues and dishonesty in the Legislature:

In 2021, Assemblyman Brian Bergen called Assemblyman Joe Danielsen an "asshole" during an exchange on the Assembly floor. The incident prompted Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to address members for "hurling insults" and "name-calling" during legislative sessions.

That same year, Bergen was among a group of Republican Assembly members who refused to comply with COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements at the State House, resulting in a tense confrontation with state police. Bergen falsely claimed on social media that the National Guard had been deployed to the State House to enforce vaccine mandates. The Governor's Office confirmed the Guard was there to help set up a testing site. The USA Today Network NJ Editorial Board called Bergen's claim a "false flag" and said it was "intolerable."

In 2023, Bergen sent a threatening letter to Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce after she raised questions about a $12,000 COVID relief loan Bergen applied for. The check was sent back because the address he gave was reportedly a campaign office, not an active business. Bergen threatened to seek damages "to the fullest extent possible" against DeCroce for discussing the matter, which involved public records.