NJ Politician Lied About Navy SEAL Service, Party Says

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — A Sussex County Commissioner is facing calls from his own party to resign, after fellow Republican leaders claimed to have evidence he lied about being a Navy SEAL.

The Sussex County Republican Committee accused Commissioner William Hayden of having "not been forthright" about his military service. Committee members said Hayden claimed to have combat experience with the Navy SEALs in conversations with other officials and at public meetings.

"We found Freedom of Information Act requests showing he was never a Navy SEAL or served in the Naval Service," the GOP Committee said in a statement last week. "We conclude that he has disrespected all veterans and misrepresented himself to our party and the public."

Sussex County Republican Committee members also alleged that Hayden filed for the New Jersey Veteran’s credit on his state tax return, and asked him to prove record of his service.

"(We urge) Commissioner Hayden to step down due to actions that have tarnished the reputation of our party, the county, and disappointed the electorate," the statement said.

The board of commissioners also censured Hayden during a Feb. 14 meeting over the accusations of stolen valor and other matters, as the NJ Herald reported.

Hayden, who has also been involved in the Skylands Tea Party, is in his first term as county commissioner. His attorney Robert Kovic, whom the county GOP Committee recently replaced as Executive Director, told NJ Advance Media that the tax documents the committee cited "appear to be fraudulent."

The Sussex County Democratic Committee also called for Hayden to resign last week, saying Hayden's alleged deceit "has made a fool of himself and Sussex County with his claims."

U.S. Representative Andy Kim and New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, both of whom are running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, joined the calls for him to step down. So, too, have the three statehouse legislators in District 24, which encompasses all of Sussex County.

"Unfortunately, Commissioner Hayden has disgraced himself by his actions and words, and as such has lost the public's trust," said state Sen. Parker Space and Assembly members Dawn Fantasia and Michael Inganamort in a joint statement. "He needs to do right by our veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces, the voters who supported him, Sussex County government, and the Sussex County Republican Committee and leave office immediately."