TEANECK, N.J. — As Teaneck voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, local watchdog group Teaneck Voices has accused Mayor Mark Schwartz and Councilwoman Karen Orgen of ethical lapses involving political contributions from a township contractor to their preferred council candidates.

In a sharply worded election-eve report, the group took aim at a $2,500 July contribution from the Wilentz law firm, which serves as township bond counsel, to One Team One Teaneck, the council slate of Avi Berliner, Sharon Kolb and Amrit Ramjattan campaigned for, funded and supported by Schwartz and Orgen.

According to Teaneck Voices, Wilentz previously made a contribution to the Schwartz-Orgen slate in the prior election cycle that was characterized as an illegal pay-to-play donation, prompting the council to cancel the firm's contract.

The township subsequently conducted a competitive bidding process in which Wilentz was the only bidder, allowing the firm to regain the contract, according to the group.

This July, Wilentz contributed another $2,500, this time to the council slate run by Schwartz and Orgen.

At the Oct. 27 council meeting, Township Attorney Salmon reportedly explained that the contribution did not legally disqualify Wilentz because the candidates receiving the donation had not yet been elected. Salmon's own contract with the town was awarded by Schwartz, Orgen and their allies.

Teaneck Voices argued that the arrangement remained unethical regardless of its legal status.

The group alleged that five council members recognized the ethical concerns but voted to approve the contract anyway.

Those members were Schwartz, Orgen, Deputy Mayor Danielle Gee and council members Elie Katz and Michael Pagan, according to Teaneck Voices.

The watchdog group accused township leadership of allowing contractors and developers with business before the municipality to financially support favored candidates, creating what it described as a disproportionate fundraising advantage.

The group argued that such contributions raise serious questions about the relationship between municipal contractors and the elected officials responsible for awarding public contracts.

The group's report does not include responses from Wilentz, Schwartz or Orgen.

The accusations come as Teaneck voters decide four council seats in Tuesday's municipal election, with the three-member One Team One Teaneck slate seeking to join the governing body giving Schwartz and his political machine a super majority.