Plainfield Responds to Social Media Allegation About Mayor Mapp Campaign Signs

Plainfield Denies Claim That City Workers Were Used for Mayor Mapp's Campaign

A social media post circulating in Plainfield accused city workers of placing campaign signs for Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's congressional run. The city says that did not happen.

The Office of Communications issued a formal statement on May 22 calling the allegation false and politically motivated.

According to the city, the employees shown in the photograph were performing routine park maintenance. During that work, they came across a campaign sign along the outer edge of a park, moved it to clear room for mowing, and kept working. Someone photographed that moment and posted it without context.

What the City Said

The statement was direct: "Neither the administration nor Mayor Mapp would ever use municipal employees, municipal time, public equipment, or city property for partisan campaign activity. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and completely inconsistent with this administration's standards and practices."

Officials added that they found it unacceptable that workers doing their jobs got pulled into what the city characterized as a political attack.

No investigation was referenced in the statement. The city's position is that the facts are straightforward and no wrongdoing occurred.

What This Means for Plainfield

Using public employees or city resources for campaign work would violate state ethics laws and local policy. The city did not announce any internal review, but the statement makes clear that all employees are expected to follow laws governing the use of public resources — and that the administration views the allegation as without merit.

FAQ

Q: What did the social media post claim?
A: It alleged that Plainfield city workers were used during work hours to place campaign signs for Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's congressional run.

Q: What does the city say the workers were actually doing?
A: Routine park maintenance. They moved a sign near the park's outer perimeter to clear space for mowing. The city says a photo of that moment was taken out of context and shared online.

Q: Is there an investigation?
A: The city's May 22 statement makes no mention of one. Officials say no wrongdoing occurred.

Q: Would using city workers for campaign activity be illegal?
A: Yes. Using public employees, municipal time, or city equipment for partisan campaign purposes would violate New Jersey ethics laws and municipal policy.