The Primary Election candidacy of Assemblyman Brian Bergen ( R-26) is unraveling as Bergen’s uncontrollable anger has been unleashed on his rival, BettyLou DeCroce.

Bergen targeted DeCroce, a former assemblywoman, with a vicious letter threatening her with legal action if she discloses information about Bergen’s failed attempt to obtain a $12,000 Covid relief loan in 2022 through the County of Morris Small Business Grant Program.

Bergen wrote to DeCroce that he will seek damages: “to the fullest extent possible” from her for “allegations of wrongdoing” against Bergen that would “have a serious impact on my business, my family, or my personal reputation.”

DeCroce said the letter is a clear-cut threat against her and her campaign “from a candidate who lacks the temperament to be an effective member of the state legislature.”

DeCroce who served 9 years in the state Assembly, said Bergen’s financial issues – whatever they may be – “are his alone and he has to take responsibility for them.”

DeCroce a long-time small business owner, said Bergen’s trouble with getting a federal business loan for a company called Bergen’s Botanicals at 2 Wall Street in Rockaway, “is a matter of public record which is open to anyone who wants to review the documents filed with the county.”

According to documents from the county, the grant to Bergen was returned because a Google search of the property showed it was used as a campaign headquarters, not a small business

“There is no issue of libel or slander in this matter. There are just the facts. Brian Bergen applied for a loan and he did not get it because of a dispute about the eligibility of the property for a small business loan issued through the federal government.” said DeCroce.

DeCroce said she does not know what provoked Bergen to send her the threatening letter, but it demonstrates a lack of leadership and his inability to run a serious campaign without threatening his opponents.

“I can’t tell you if my campaign was going to raise this issue, but we would have been perfectly within our rights to do so. Mr. Bergen is, by the tone of his letter, trying to silence free speech in a political campaign. Like woke Democrats he is trying to cancel people he doesn’t agree with. I hope he can explain that to the voters,” said DeCroce.