With the 2024 General Election well underway, one candidate’s controversial history is raising concerns among voters and local political figures. Jeffrey D. Buongiorno, 58 is running for Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. In 2006, at the age of 40, Mr. Buongiorno was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats, accusations that have since resurfaced as he campaigns for office.
Although the charges were dismissed, sources indicate that the behavior alleged in this case comport with a pattern of behavior here in Palm Beach County. Behavior that some worry could affect his ability to hold office responsibly.
Background of the case
Events date back to July 2006, when two individuals filed harassment and terroristic threat complaints against Mr. Buongiorno. One victim, we’ll call him Mr. A, was a resident, the other, we’ll call her Ms. B., was a visitor of the New Jersey apartment complex where Mr. Buongiorno lived at the time.
According to the police report, at about 9:30 PM Mr. Buongiorno confronted fellow resident, Mr. A, in the building’s elevator. Citing “on-going problems with Mr. Buongiorno,” Mr. A said he quickly exited the elevator to avoid confrontation. When Mr. A returned to the elevator and exited to his floor, Mr. Buongiorno was there waiting for him in the hallway. Mr. A alleged that Mr. Buongiorno warned him, “I hope you have insurance because it’s going down, and you’re going down with it.” Mr. A quickly retreated to the safety of his apartment.
Another complainant, Ms. B, filed a restraining order against Mr. Buongiorno accusing him of threatening her with a handgun. She reported that Mr. Buongiorno shouted at her to leave the apartment complex while he held his hand on a pistol in his waistband.
The investigation intensified when local police, armed with a warrant, searched Mr. Buongiorno’s apartment, looking for handcuffs and a handgun. They recovered three pairs of fake handcuffs but no handgun. Later, authorities tracked down Mr. Buongiorno’s .38 caliber revolver, which he allegedly stashed at a friend’s house in another county. The friend claimed to have filed paperwork to transfer the weapon, but detectives could find no such record of the form.
Arrested and Charged
Mr. Buongiorno was arrested and charged with a felony, making “terroristic threats” under New Jersey law, N. J.S. 2C:12-3A, alleging that he threatened to murder or instill terror in Ms. B.
Dismissal Amid Allegations of Prosecutorial Absence
The case reached an unexpected end on January 11, 2007, when in municipal court it was “Dismissed for Lack of Prosecution,” According to a source familiar with the proceedings, the dismissal was reportedly due to the prosecution’s failure to appear, prompting the court to terminate the case.
Concerns from Local Political Figures
As Mr. Buongiorno seeks to be elected to Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, his past behavior is now under heightened scrutiny. Several individuals involved in the local Party, who remain unnamed for fear of reprisal, voice concerns over Mr. Buongiorno’s volatile temper. They worry that, despite the case’s dismissal, his behavior during the 2006 incident coupled with recent altercations with local Party members, may reflect on his temperament and capacity to handle the responsibilities of public office.
Weighing Character and Competency
Mr. Buongiorno’s campaign for Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections has sparked debate among Palm Beach County residents who question whether Mr. Buongiorno is fit for office. Some see the charges as a red flag for someone aiming to serve the public. Others are wary of basing judgments on a dismissed case.
In a political climate increasingly conscious of candidate backgrounds, this case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability. As Election Day approaches, voters in Palm Beach County face the task of evaluating Mr. Buongiorno’s past and deciding if his candidacy aligns with their expectations for public service.
References and Citations:
New Jersey law, N. J.S. 2C:12-3A
https://casetext.com/statute/new-jersey-statutes/title-2c-the-new-jersey-code-of-criminal-justice/chapter-2c12-assault/section-2c12-3-terroristic-threats
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