N.J. Law Enforcement Pens Open Letter Critiquing Coalition Weakening Daniel's Law

"We read the press release announcing the formation of the Public Safety Information Protection Coalition (PSIPC) with anger and disappointment," the letter said. "The PSIPC makes a number of false claims about the history and effectiveness of Daniel’s Law in their press release and on their website, but that is not surprising coming from a “coalition” created by billion-dollar data brokers willing to jeopardize the safety of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers – and their families – in the pursuit of profit."

"It is far more surprising and disheartening to see a former prosecutor such as yourself sell out law enforcement," said Andreyev in the letter. "As the Bergen County Prosecutor for 14 years, you have no doubt seen and experienced first-hand the very real dangers associated with the sale and disclosure of our home addresses and other sensitive personal information. How much does it cost to get someone to turn their back on the men and women they used to lead, and put their lives at risk?"

Daniel's Law was created after a federal judge was targeted by a litigant who had practiced in her courtroom, found the judge's information from data broker resources and showed up at her house to assassinate her, instead killing Daniel, the judge's son, and wounding her husband (see 2503110077). Other states, like Vermont, are considering passing versions of the law, though there is concern that the statute will be abused by "frivolous" lawsuits (see 2504160040). The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals is set to review the constitutionality of the New Jersey law (see 2504040031).

The PSIPC urged state lawmakers to change Daniel's Law on April 9, calling it "broken" since 2023 amendments allow third parties to take up lawsuits on behalf of covered persons, and asking the law be restored to its original intent.

"What you call 'predatory lawsuits' we call a fight to protect ourselves and our families from predators who seek to cause us harm," said Andreyev. "Predators from whom you are very likely now drawing a paycheck."

The open letter also referenced the leaked audio file of a joint conference call with the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) from February 2024 that detailed the group's plans to weaken Daniel's Law.

"These two industry lobbying groups and dozens of participant data brokers – many of whom had been accused of violating Daniel’s Law – spoke candidly because they likely did not anticipate that one of the participants would later leak a recording of the call to the press and the public," Andreyev said in the letter. "Over the course of a nearly hour-long meeting, executives from these groups can be heard clearly outlining their plans to spread misinformation and apply pressure to our state legislators in order to weaken Daniel’s Law in New Jersey before other states began to adopt similar legislation. Their biggest fear appeared to be that the law would actually work and inspire other states to protect their own judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers by similar means."

Andreyev said, "It's not too late" for Molinelli and the PSIPC to change their opinion and "re-prioritize the safety of every person covered under Daniel’s Law and its amendments," adding, "It’s not too late for you to renounce whatever lucrative contract you’ve signed with the data broker industry and their lobbyists and reaffirm your commitment to protecting New Jersey’s judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers." He added, "It’s not too late for you to remember your original commitment to each of us and our families and what honor, duty, and courage actually mean."