Brick GOP leader paid himself $20,000 in consulting fees during recent election

BRICK, N.J. — Top officials in the Brick Republican Club are under increasing pressure to resign following allegations of questionable financial activity related to the 2023 election cycle.

Ruthanne Scaturro, who serves as president of the Brick GOP Club and vice-chairwoman of the Ocean County GOP, and Marc Vasquez, listed as president, are at the center of the controversy.

Concerns have grown over payments made to Vasquez, who reportedly received nearly $20,000 in consulting fees, including $1,000 for work performed on Election Day.

Scaturro has not publicly addressed the allegations.

Internal communications circulated among party members have raised concerns over multiple financial decisions, including a $7,500 payment to the Restoring America’s Mission PAC, reportedly linked solely to Stephen Scaturro, Ruthanne’s husband.

Additional scrutiny has been placed on several post-campaign dinners described as “campaign wrap up meetings,” each costing about $100.

“Members of the club should not be profiting off a campaign,” one message stated, labeling the payments as “absurd” and “wasteful.”

The controversy has intensified following a recent dinner attended by Scaturro and Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore at Villa Vittoria, a high-end restaurant in Brick, where campaign materials were displayed. Brick Republicans supported Gilmore’s failed endorsement of Bill Spadea in the 2025 GOP primary election for governor.

The growing unrest has led to calls for both Scaturro and Vasquez to step down to allow for new leadership ahead of the upcoming election cycle.

“It is in the best interest of the club, if the two of you step aside… so that there can be a smooth transition into this election,” a letter to leadership stated.

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Local Republican members have emphasized that the organization’s credibility is at risk and are urging both officials to resign to preserve the integrity of the party.

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