The new head of New Jersey's State Commission of Investigation (SCI), Tiffany Williams Brewer, is facing scrutiny over her residency and employment arrangements. Records indicate that she claims principal residency in two states while holding a full-time teaching position at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Williams Brewer, appointed as the CEO of SCI on Monday, has listed a Maryland home as her primary residence but voted in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. She is scheduled to teach four classes three days per week this semester at Howard University.
New Jersey law mandates that public employees establish their primary residence within the state within a year of hire. Williams Brewer has not applied for the necessary waiver to live out of state. She became chair of SCI in 2022 and served as interim executive director following the death of former director Chadd Lackey in a car crash on July 10.
Despite being one of the few state officials with a CEO title, details about Williams Brewer’s salary remain undisclosed by an SCI spokesperson. Previously, she earned $175,000 annually as interim executive director. Other state government CEOs receive salaries ranging from $210,000 to $295,000.
In November, Governor Phil Murphy's administration announced a pause on salary increases and limited new hires to conserve resources.
While it is not illegal for public employees to hold two full-time jobs, experts question Williams Brewer’s ability to fulfill her responsibilities effectively. Marc Pfeiffer from Rutgers University expressed concerns about her dual roles impacting her commitment to taxpayers and compliance with laws designed to prevent abuse.
Pfeiffer noted that declaring Maryland as her primary residence could violate the New Jersey First Act. This law requires public employees to reside in New Jersey within one year of their hire date unless exempted by the Department of Labor. As of January 3, Williams Brewer had not filed for such an exemption.
“It would seem to be more prudent for the SCI to have acted under the authority of the New Jersey First program to resolve any uncertainty,” Pfeiffer said.
