15-07-2025
Sussex Commissioner William Hayden indicted for falsely claiming veteran's tax exemption
The Stolen Valor accusations against Sussex County Commissioner William Hayden have resulted in an indictment for tax fraud for the embattled politician.
The state Attorney General's Office announced the move on July 15, saying Hayden had filed a tax return in which he claimed a veteran's exemption to which he was not entitled. The fraudulent filing in 2020 saved Hayden approximately $382 in taxes, the office said.
'Our tax system relies on everyone filing a true and accurate tax return,' Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement. 'Fraudulently claiming an exemption reserved for military veterans is something we will not tolerate.'
Asked about the indictment, Hayden responded to the New Jersey Herald via text on Tuesday: "lol." He did not elaborate.
Messages seeking comment from county Commissioner's Director Chris Carney and county Administrator Ron Tappan weren't immediately returned.
Hayden, one of five members of the all-Republican county board, has faced calls to resign ever since accusations surfaced that he falsely claimed in his 2022 campaign to be a wounded veteran who served in the Navy SEALs. In some retellings, he allegedly claimed to have been injured in action against a drug cartel in Africa.
The Branchville resident has denied any wrongdoing but has found himself at odds with the rest of the party. The Sussex County Republican Party mounted a recall effort against Hayden but dropped the effort after failing to secure enough signatures.
Hayden did not seek the the GOP nomination for re-election this year, meaning his tenure as commissioner will end in January, barring a write-in campaign.
The 58-year-old is charged with one third-degree count of filing a fraudulent tax return. The charge carries a potential sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
According to the AG's Office, Hayden assisted his wife in preparing the couple's state income tax return for the year ending Dec. 31, 2019. Hayden falsely checked a box indicating he was a veteran, according to Tuesday's statement. "Hayden is not, in fact, a veteran," the AG's Office said. As a result, he received a $6,000 exemption, resulting in the avoidance of about $382 in taxes, Platkin's office said.
More: Sussex GOP drops recall effort against commissioner accused of faking military record
In 2023, a former donor to Hayden's campaign filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Police, alleging the commissioner had violated the state's Stolen Valor Act, which makes it illegal to benefit financially from false claims of a military record.
Separately, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat whose district includes most of Sussex County, wrote to the state Attorney General that year asking for an investigation into whether Hayden violated New Jersey tax laws by claiming a veteran's exemption.
This article originally appeared on Sussex County NJ Commissioner indicted for tax fraud
