NJ Town's GOP Loser Had Help From Loser's Wife Secretly Record Mayor, Deputy Mayor: Officials

Two women, both with ties to one New Jersey town's local Republican party, have been charged with secretly recording conversations had between their rivals at a local restaurant, officials said.

The Rail at Readington.
Photo Credit: *Google Maps*

Cecilia Levine

10/21/2024 9:18 p.m.

Christina Albrecht, 45, of Flemington, and Jacqueline Hindle, 49, of Whitehouse Station, are both facing charges for secretly recording conversations between Readington Township Mayor Adam Mueller and Deputy Mayor Vincent Panico in July at The Rail at Readington, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said.

Albrecht is married to Hindle's running mate, former mayor Ben Smith, who ran against current Mayor Adam Mueller and committee member R. Juergen Huelsebusch in the June primaries (click here for photos and bios of Smith and Hindle from their campaign website).

On July 1, Albrecht placed a recording device along the metal fence surrounding the patio at The Rail at Readington, Robeson said citing the results of an investigation. The device "captured the private, oral communications of Mueller and Deputy Mayor Vincent Panico," Robeson said.

Albrecht later retrieved the device from The Rail and transcribed and shared the conversations with Hindle, who uploaded the recordings onto a shared drive and discussed them with Albrecht, officials said.

On July 8, Albrecht returned to The Rail when it was closed and again placed the device on the fence. After the device was turned over to the police, Albrecht and Hindle conspired to purchase another device to once again secretly record the private, oral communications of Mueller and Deputy Panico, according to Robeson.

Albrecht and Hindle are scheduled for their first appearances on October 30, 2024. Albrecht is represented by Eric Morrell, Esq. and Jacqueline Hindle is represented by Michael Roberts, Esq. First Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Paravecchia represents the State.

Albrecht was charged with burglary, possession of an intercepting device, interception of an oral communication, disclosure of an oral communication, use of an oral communication, and third-degree conspiracy to commit interception of an oral communication.

Hindle was charged with disclosure of an oral communication, use of an oral communication, and conspiracy to commit interception of an oral communication.

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