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New Jersey Postpones Debate Host-Selection Meeting After Racist Zoom Bombing

A criminal investigation is underway into hackers who streamed hateful and pornographic material during the July 24 session.

Overview

  • Hackers disrupted the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission meeting on July 24 with alarms, explosions and pornographic images including a swastika before blasting a song containing repeated racial slurs.
  • About 70 participants from nine media sponsors had gathered to pitch hosting fall debates between Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill and the lieutenant governor candidates.
  • Chairman Thomas Prol labeled the incident an attack on democracy and vowed to locate and prosecute those responsible.
  • Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the Division of Criminal Justice is leading the investigation and pledged to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
  • ELEC has moved the host-selection session to July 29 and will implement enhanced security protocols to guard against further virtual disruptions.