Congressman Josh Gottheimer U.S. House of Representatives

 

Congressman Gottheimer,

Thank you for opening a case regarding the actions of the State of New Jersey. I am requesting your direct assistance because New Jersey agencies have repeatedly denied me fair process, timely responses, and basic accountability, despite my documented PTSD and my long record of good‑faith efforts to resolve these matters through every proper channel.

Since the year 2000, every one of my therapy sessions has documented the emotional and psychological impact of this situation. Over the years, I have been forced to call the Veterans Crisis Line multiple times because of the despair and pressure created by the State’s actions and inactions. This history is part of my medical record and reflects the seriousness of the harm I have endured. At 75 years old, the physical and mental toll has become severe, and I have been hospitalized three times since January due to health problems worsened by prolonged stress.

For more than two decades, I have submitted formal requests, evidence, and documentation to the appropriate state offices. Instead of receiving the due‑process protections required under state and federal law, I have been met with silence, delays, and procedural barriers. These actions and inactions have amounted to PTSD discrimination and harassment by state personnel who were fully aware of my medical history and vulnerability as a combat veteran.

A major concern is that these failures appear designed to protect former District XI Attorney Ethics Vice‑Chairman Robert Correale, his former law firm Maynard & Truland, and the Office of Attorney Ethics itself. The pattern of non‑response and obstruction suggests an effort to shield reputations rather than address documented misconduct. This has left me without lawful recourse for more than twenty years.

To provide your office with a clear picture, I am including a concise timeline of key events:

Timeline of Key Events
2000–Present: Documented Medical Impact • Therapy records since 2000 document the emotional and psychological harm caused by New Jersey’s actions • Multiple calls to the Veterans Crisis Line during periods of despair • PTSD symptoms repeatedly aggravated by the State’s refusal to follow required procedures

Early 2000–2003: Initial Misconduct and Ethical Violations • Retained attorney Robert Correale of Maynard & Truland • Identified serious misconduct, overbilling, and failures in representation • Filed formal complaints with the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) • Correale was serving as District XI Attorney Ethics Vice‑Chairman, creating a conflict of interest

2003–2006: State-Level Obstruction Begins • Submitted multiple written complaints and evidence packets • Received no meaningful investigation or due‑process steps • Early signs of institutional protection of Correale, his law firm, and OAE leadership

2006–2015: Continued Non‑Response and Delays • Submitted additional filings, certified letters, and requests for review • State agencies continued to ignore or delay responses • No responsible official ever identified

2015–2023: Pattern of Cover‑Up Becomes Clear • Repeated attempts to obtain explanations were met with silence • Evidence suggests ongoing efforts to protect Correale, Maynard & Truland, and OAE • No corrective action taken despite decades of documented harm

2023–2025: PTSD Discrimination and Harassment Intensify • State personnel disregarded medical documentation and accommodation needs • Procedural barriers persisted, worsening PTSD symptoms • Renewed crisis‑line calls during periods of despair

January 2025–January 2026: Serious Health Decline • Hospitalized three times since January due to health problems • At age 75, the prolonged stress and obstruction have taken a significant toll • Medical providers have documented the connection between the State’s actions and worsening health

2025–2026: Escalation to Federal Oversight • After more than two decades of obstruction, sought assistance from your office • You agreed to open a case to investigate New Jersey’s actions and require accountability • I am preparing a complete packet of filings and evidence for your staff

I respectfully request that your office require the State of New Jersey to:

• Provide a clear, written explanation for its actions and inactions in my case • Comply with all required due‑process procedures without further delay • Issue timely, documented responses to my filings and evidence • Identify a responsible state official who will communicate directly with your office and with me • Address and correct PTSD discrimination and harassment, both in my case and in the broader practices affecting other PTSD veterans

Many PTSD veterans stand to benefit from your intervention, not only through resolution of my case but through the precedent it sets for fair treatment and accountability.

Respectfully, John “Jack” Cunningham Wantage, New Jersey

CC: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Congressional & Legislative Affairs New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Majority and Minority Staff)

 

Attachment: Key Filings and Evidence Summary
Formal Complaints and Evidence Submitted to New Jersey (2000–Present)
• Multiple written complaints filed with the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) regarding misconduct by attorney Robert Correale and the law firm Maynard & Truland • Evidence packets documenting overbilling, failures in representation, and conflict of interest • Certified letters requesting investigation, due‑process steps, and written explanations • Follow‑up submissions after receiving no responses or incomplete responses

Documentation of Conflict of Interest
• Evidence showing Robert Correale served as District XI Attorney Ethics Vice‑Chairman while his own conduct was under complaint • Records demonstrating OAE’s refusal to assign an independent investigator • Correspondence showing repeated avoidance of addressing Correale’s dual role

State-Level Non‑Response and Procedural Failures
• Copies of unanswered letters and emails requesting updates, explanations, or due‑process steps • Records of delayed or missing responses from OAE and related state offices • Documentation of procedural barriers preventing lawful review of the misconduct

Medical Documentation (2000–Present)
• Therapy records documenting the emotional and psychological impact of New Jersey’s actions • Notes from multiple providers linking worsening PTSD symptoms to the State’s failures • Records of multiple calls to the Veterans Crisis Line during periods of despair • Hospital records from three hospitalizations since January

Evidence of PTSD Discrimination and Harassment
• Correspondence showing state personnel disregarded medical documentation and accommodation needs • Records of repeated requests for reasonable accommodations that were ignored • Documentation of procedural treatment inconsistent with requirements for disabled veterans

Evidence of Long-Term Cover‑Up
• Patterns of non‑response suggesting protection of Correale, Maynard & Truland, and OAE • Records showing refusal to provide written explanations or assign responsible officials • Documentation of more than two decades of unresolved filings despite legal obligations

Federal Escalation
• Written request to your office for intervention • Confirmation that a Congressional case has been opened • Prepared packet of filings, dates, and evidence for review