Although state Sen. Barbara Buono isn't facing a stiff primary challenge as she seeks the Democratic nomination for governor, the last thing she wants is controversy.

The Italian-American Police Society of New Jersey was set to honor Buono as "Woman of the Year" two weekends ago. But The Auditor hears the senator's campaign staff apparently told the group she only wanted to stop by and deliver a 15-minute campaign speech — and it didn't go over well with the 5,500-member organization.

The Auditor was told the group decided to honor Buono at its annual dinner dance because of her legislative record in support of police — and before she had decided to challenge Gov. Chris Christie.

After the group learned Buono only wanted to stop by for a brief speech during the cocktail hour, it decided to honor her some other time and rescinded the dinner invitation.

"If you're running for governor as a Democrat in New Jersey ... Italian-American civil servants is a base you might need," said one member of the organization who requested anonymity.

The society's president, William Schievella, stressed the group hasn't backed Buono in the race.

"While the decision on Senator Buono attending the dinner was made based on scheduling conflicts, it's clear that the organization did not endorse Senator Buono in her bid for governor," said Schievella, a former chief of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

David Turner, Buono's campaign spokesman, said the senator "appreciated the Italian-American Police Society's gracious invitation and honor and sincerely regretted being unable to attend the gala due to a scheduling conflict."

Missed opportunity at Rutgers?

It seems Rutgers missed a chance to make use of a man who could have helped deal with the fallout from basketball coach Mike Rice's abuse of players, which included the use of homophobic slurs.

Just three months ago, Rutgers-Newark hired Steven Goldstein — the founder of Garden State Equality, the state's top gay rights group — as its associate chancellor for external relations. His former group held a news conference last week to express outrage over Rice, noting the issue of bullying is a sensitive one at Rutgers just 2 1/2 years after Tyler Clementi's suicide.

The Auditor obtained a letter Goldstein sent Thursday to Rutgers President Robert Barchi and two other top administrators offering his help.

"Through my long experience as a civil rights leader in New Jersey, I believe the university has demonstrated an astonishing lack of sensitivity to the LGBT community, currently and prior to the incumbent administration in New Brunswick," he wrote.

Goldstein told The Auditor: "LGBT civil rights generally, and helping bullied students specifically, has been the heart of my life's work."

State bites the hand that feeds it

The Auditor noticed Birdsall Services Group — reeling after former top executives were indicted for funneling money to elected officials to win public contracts — may have helped elect the administration now prosecuting it.

Birdsall donated $5,000 to the Republican Governors Association in September 2009, records show. The RGA spent millions on ads helping Christie bid for governor that year.

Michael DuHaime, a political strategist for Christie, wouldn't comment on the donations: "You'd have to call the RGA on their fundraising. I'm not in charge of their fundraising," he said.

Pay-to-play laws would have banned Birdsall from donating a significant amount directly to Christie's campaign, since the company held nearly $1 million in contracts with state agencies.

Other state contractors gave even more to the RGA that year: Maser Consulting ($20,000), Earle Asphalt ($12,500) and T&M Associates ($10,000).

Guess who's coming to dinner

Christie is raising money for someone who really doesn't need it.

The governor is the featured guest at a beefsteak dinner for state Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) at a church in Randolph on April 26.

Here's the thing: Nobody — neither Republicans in the primary nor Democrats in the general election — filed last week to challenge Bucco. After this year, Bucco, who had $50,000 in campaign cash as of January, will not face re-election until 2017.

Bucco, who represents Christie's hometown of Mendham, told The Auditor the fundraiser — which he has every year — was planned months ago.

"I hired the caterer, hired the hall," he said. "It's a fun event. Besides, with the money I raise I'll be able to help some of the other candidates who do have a primary or do have a general election.'"

Bauer saying bye-bye

Adam Bauer, the Senate Republicans' spokesman, is leaving for colder pastures.

Bauer tells The Auditor this week will be his last as the Republicans' communications director, and he'll become a media relations manager for a large health care company in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Bauer said his deputy, Jeremy Rosen, will replace him.

NJ.com