Dear Livingston Township,

Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-5(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.

I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.

I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.

I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.

Records requested:

Request for Records and Information Regarding Electric Bike Video

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, a video appeared on Facebook featuring Deputy Mayor Ketan Bhuptani regarding the laws governing the operation of electric bikes in Livingston. Concerns have been raised as to whether this video constituted an official township communication or a self-serving video produced using public resources. I request the following government records and information related to the creation, production, approval, and posting of that video.
Requested Records

Please provide:
1. Any and all emails, text messages, memoranda, notes, letters, drafts, scripts, call sheets, production notes, invoices, purchase orders, requisitions, vouchers, receipts, permits, approvals, and correspondence concerning the planning, filming, editing, approval, publication, or promotion of this video.

2. Any and all correspondence, including email, text, fax, or other written communications, between Deputy Mayor/Councilman Ketan Bhuptani and any council member, the mayor, town manager, township staff, police department personnel, outside residents, vendors, or any other person concerning this video.

3. All raw footage, outtakes, unused footage, edited footage, final versions, and any other video or audio recordings connected with this production.

4. Any records showing the date or dates on which the video was recorded, edited, finalized, and posted.

5. Any records identifying all persons involved in the filming, acting, recording, editing, approving, or posting of the video, including their titles or affiliations.

6. Any records reflecting the amount of township time, labor, materials, equipment, or money used in connection with this video.

7. Any records showing whether any township employee appeared in the video or participated in its production, and whether such employee was on duty and compensated by the township at the time.

8. Any records showing whether any Livingston police officers, including the Chief of Police, appeared in the video, and whether they were on duty and compensated by the township at the time of filming.

9. Any records concerning the use of Forum Coffee as a filming location, including any agreement, permission, waiver, payment, invoice, receipt, or correspondence regarding use of the premises.

10. Any records concerning whether coffee, props, materials, or other items used in the video were purchased, reimbursed, donated, or otherwise paid for, including receipts and reimbursement records.

11. Any applications, approvals, denials, or permits relating to filming this video, including any film or movie permit application.

12. Any township policies, guidelines, ethics policies, media policies, campaign-related policies, or other rules concerning the use of township funds, township employees, township property, or township resources by elected officials or candidates for election or re-election.

13. Any records showing whether Deputy Mayor Bhuptani reimbursed the township for any public resources used in connection with this video.

14. Any records concerning whether the value of township resources used for this video was reported, discussed, or considered for reporting as an in-kind political contribution.

15. Any records reflecting whether any other council members or the mayor were involved in the review, approval, planning, creation, filming, editing, or posting of the video.

Questions / Requests for Response
To the extent the township is willing to respond outside of OPRA, please also advise:
1. Was this an official township public information video or a video produced primarily for Deputy Mayor Bhuptani’s personal or political benefit?

2. Was the individual portraying “Michael” a paid actor?

3. Was the individual portraying “Michael” a township employee?

4. Was the Chief of Police asked or directed to participate in the video?

5. Does the township believe this video complied with all applicable ethics rules, election laws, and township policies?

6. Does the township intend to review or investigate whether public resources were improperly used in connection with this video?

7. Does the township intend to file an ethics complaint or refer this matter to any appropriate authority?

Please provide these records in electronic form if available. If any portion of this request is denied, please identify the specific legal basis for the denial and produce all non-exempt responsive records.

ETHICS COMPLAINT

Alleged misuse of public resources for a self-serving video and potential violations of ethics and election laws

Summary of Complaint
This complaint concerns the production and dissemination of a video featuring Deputy Mayor Ketan Bhuptani regarding electric bike regulations, which appeared on or about March 31, 2026, on Facebook.

The video appears to have been created using township resources, including municipal employees and potentially on-duty public safety personnel. Based on available information, the video raises serious concerns that public resources were used to create a self-serving video within close proximity to an upcoming primary election.

II. Factual Allegations
Upon information and belief:
1. A video featuring Deputy Mayor Bhuptani discussing electric bike laws was recorded and published on or about March 31, 2026.

2. Municipal employees may have participated in the video, including:
o Acting roles within the video, and/or
o Filming, editing, or production responsibilities

3. Members of the Livingston Police Department, including potentially the Chief of Police, appeared in the video while possibly on duty and compensated by the township.

4. Township time, equipment, and/or other public resources may have been used in the planning, production, and dissemination of the video.

5. The video was released less than three months prior to a primary election in which Deputy Mayor Bhuptani is a candidate.

6. The content and timing of the video raise concerns that it may have been produced, in whole or in part, as a self-serving communication that could confer a political benefit.

7. It is unclear whether:
o Any approvals were obtained for the use of township resources
o Any reimbursement was made to the township
o Any permits or permissions were secured for filming
o Any value associated with township resources was reported as an in-kind political contribution

III. Violations
The conduct described above may constitute violations of:
• Local Government Ethics Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.1 et seq.), including but not limited to:
o Use of public office or resources for personal or political gain
o Actions creating the appearance of impropriety
• Municipal policies and procedures governing:
o Use of township employees and resources
o Media and public communications
o Political activity by public officials
• New Jersey election laws, including potential:
o Unreported in-kind contributions
o Improper use of public funds for campaign-related purposes

IV. Request for Investigation
The complainant respectfully requests that the appropriate authority:
1. Conduct a full investigation into the creation, production, and dissemination of the video
2. Determine whether township employees or resources were used improperly
3. Determine whether any ethics, policy, or election law violations occurred
4. Determine whether any reimbursement or disclosure obligations were triggered
5. Take any appropriate disciplinary, corrective, or enforcement action

V. Supporting Documentation
The complainant requests that all relevant records be reviewed, including but not limited to:
• Communications (emails, texts, etc.)
• Video footage and production materials
• Employee time records
• Financial records and receipts
• Policies governing media and resource use

My preferred delivery method for response(s) to this request is by E-mail as attachments. Please confirm you have received this request. If you are not the custodian of records, please forward my request to that person and provide their email address to me for future reference.

Yours faithfully,

livunitedagainstcorruption