Undisclosed $2M consulting deal raises conflict of interest questions in Ocean City

Dear Ocean City Neighbor,

The OC Sentinel recently published a letter “Mayor did not disclose consulting agreement with Mita” by David Breeden, President of Ocean City Fairness in Taxes. It addresses potential new concerns about a previously undisclosed $2M consulting agreement between Mayor Jay Gillian and ICONA developer Eustace Mita.

Given how central the future of Wonderland, government transparency, and integrity have become in this election cycle, we believe every voter should read this. There is also a link to the actual February 2021 consulting agreement available online.

Some key highlights from the letter

• $2 million "consulting" deal: Evidence suggests a previously undisclosed agreement where Mayor Gillian is to receive $2 million over 10 years from Eustace Mita.

• Unspecified services: The contract reportedly does not list specific duties for the mayor, which Mr. Breeden notes is "highly unusual for such a high-value contract."

• Inducement to sell: The letter states this agreement was only effective if Gillian sold Wonderland to Mita, and also that it may have created an incentive for Gillian to close the park.

• Lack of disclosure: Despite claims of transparency, this agreement remained out of the public eye for years, despite being known to the city solicitor.

Potential questions around ethics

In New Jersey, municipal officials are subject to the Local Government Ethics Law, which requires them to avoid not only actual conflicts of interest but also situations that could create the appearance of a conflict. Officials must recuse themselves from matters in which they have a direct or indirect financial interest.

Experts note that an undisclosed financial relationship with a private party seeking development approvals could trigger scrutiny under those standards, particularly if compensation is tied to events—such as the closure of a property—that intersect with public policy decisions.

The absence of defined consulting duties is a further point of attention, as high-value agreements without clear scope can complicate efforts to assess whether payments reflect legitimate services or create improper influence.

What do you think?

We’ve long believed that financial entanglements between the mayor and Mita have been problematic, as has the continued outsized influence of developer and real estate interests in Ocean City politics. If you’ve read our founders’ letter, you know that we began this journey to try and balance those scales a bit and speak out for residents who value livability, affordability, thoughtful growth, and an earnest willingness to compromise and work together.

Competence. Independence. Integrity. Collaboration.

The Our Ocean City Team

To learn more about how we’re advocating for a more balanced approach, visit us at www.ouroceancity.org.