r/SouthJersey • u/FreeShelterCat • Feb 25 '26
Cumberland County You should know Vineland City Council President Paul Spinelli crashed out when asked about possible financial ties, interrupting a citizen’s public comment about the data center, then threatened to waste taxpayer funds on a lawsuit against private citizens he knows he can’t win
Livestream link for the February 24, 2026 council meeting.
Thanks to Nicki G. and Sustain SJ for the clip!
Mr. Spinelli claims the Vineland city council was legally mandated to approve DataOne’s controversial PILOT agreement.
Vineland’s city council appeared noticeably defensive about concerns they are being personally enriched by DataOne and it’s business partner, Northeast Precast. Locals are wanting to know if any elected officials hold stock in Nebius, a publicly traded company which will be DataOne’s sole tenet.
It’s unknown what specific online comments got under Mr. Spinelli’s skin but something he saw online has clearly ruffled his feathers.
A resident asked if the DataOne DC is going ahead and already operational. A city council member suggested it’s a train going down the tracks.
At this phase, the Vineland DC is partially operational, hooked up to city power. DataOne aren’t producing their own electricity at this time because they haven’t been granted the required NJDEP permit to operate their natural gas burning Bergen engines.
The DataOne/Nebius DC will need to produce it’s own electricity to meet investor and client (Microsoft’s) expectations — the Vineland grid doesn’t have the capacity required to power the entire data center. DataOne’s CEO Charles-Antoine Beyney told residents at the January 2026 town hall that his company would be producing 85% of the electricity for the data center from their Bergen engines with the remaining 15% being purchased from the power company.
Locals are expecting a formal public comment period hosted by the NJDEP once DataOne submits a draft permit.
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u/philosopherott Feb 25 '26
This perosn just threatened a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The definition is a meritless or exaggerated lawsuit designed to silence critics by burdening them with high legal costs and stress. Frequently disguised as defamation or business torts, these suits target journalists, activists, and citizens speaking on matters of public concern to intimidate them into self-censorship.
New Jersey’s Anti-SLAPP law, the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA), took effect on October 7, 2023, to protect individuals and organizations from meritless, retaliatory lawsuits designed to silence free speech on public issues.
don't take there bullshit, he is personally liable for that.
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u/ThisIs_americunt Feb 26 '26
Some people haven't realized that the rules have changed. Nothings illegal if theres no one to arrest, jail, prosecute or convict the person. Its wild what you can do with dark money :D
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u/nethingelse Feb 26 '26
SLAPP laws unfortunately don't criminalize SLAPP lawsuits, they just provide an easier defense for people on the receiving end of them. NJ's also allows for defendants to recover costs if the SLAPP dismissal is granted.
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u/eastcoastjon Feb 25 '26
Oh he is compromised.
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u/Jeromz Feb 25 '26
Careful buddy those are suing words. My benefactors don't appreciate you lowly pond scum interfering with their data centers. Take your inflated electric bill and your one job or else.
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u/cvc4455 Feb 25 '26
He's definitely compromised!
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u/Jeromz Feb 25 '26
Just because some elected official gets “offered” an incentive to advance plans that go against his constituents best interest. Then threatens SLAP lawsuits against his own electorate when they challenge him. Does not mean he is compromised.
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u/cvc4455 Feb 25 '26
He's compromised and his bitch ass won't sue me over it either!
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u/Jeromz Feb 26 '26
Did you ever consider how expensive it is to buy a shore property these days? Have some empathy for your elected government. They don’t just hand out free money, you gotta give a little to get a lot.
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u/cvc4455 Feb 26 '26
Ok fair point. That bitch still won't try to sue me though. If someone wants they can take screenshots and send it to him and we can find out if he's man enough to follow through with his threats or if he's just a compromised little bitch taking money from data centers.
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u/ThisIs_americunt Feb 26 '26
It's wild what you can do when you can own the law makers, the judges, the police force and the lawyers. Gotta love dark money :D
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u/ThisIs_americunt Feb 26 '26
It's wild what you can do when you can own the law makers, the judges, the police force and the lawyers. Gotta love dark money :D
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Feb 25 '26
Reddit is blocking this video. I tried to cross post a few times now. Banned and deleted
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u/trashpandarevolution Feb 25 '26
I know everyone rails against corrupt Feds and all that
But it’s very easy to unseat these local idiots. Just fucking pay attention and vote them out when they’re obviously corrupt
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u/EricSanderson Feb 26 '26
You'd be surprised. Municipal NJ politics are fucking wild. I grew up there and covered towns like these as a reporter for years.
Police, FD, town administrators, unions, school district leaders, county officials, even fucking Parks and Rec directors all have these shady back-door deals in place. It's not about political parties. It's about contracts and families and grudges that go back generations.
Hypothetically speaking. If people are up in arms about the data center, there's a real chance that it has nothing to do with the energy usage or the zoning or anything else. It could honestly just be that the "donations" went to the wrong group.
That said... Dude in this video is openly corrupt as fuck. Hope he tries his SLAPP suit and gets fucked.
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u/FreeShelterCat Feb 26 '26
What do you mean by the suggestion “donations went to the wrong group?”
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u/EricSanderson Feb 27 '26
Maybe the backers of the data center donated money to "Friends of Vineland Recreation" instead of "Vineland Youth Athletic League," not knowing that the mayor's wife was co-chairperson of the former and the mayor's opponent's cousin was treasurer of the latter.
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u/FreeShelterCat Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26
I see what you’re saying but I don’t think the data center operators donated money to any charities whatsoever.
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u/d00n3r Mar 09 '26
Shady backroom deals in NJ, like sure. I expect it. Hell, I even encourage it to a point. That's the nature of the beast here. But this guy is totally off the rails. He comes off as too corrupt even for New Jersey politics. Like, fucken brazen man. Wild times.
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u/ThisIs_americunt Feb 26 '26
Easier said than done. Propaganda is a helluva drug and Oligarchs need to use some of the best to keep the 99% distracted from the real issue: Them.
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u/Rescuepups-lover41 Feb 25 '26
He’s been the biggest piece of shit in politics in Vineland for decades. And somehow keeps getting elected, despite how he speaks to his constituents.
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u/LanaDelHeeey Feb 25 '26
Does Vineland have a recall or removal procedure for city officials? Time to start getting signatures.
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u/COREY-IS-A-BUSTA Feb 25 '26
Fuck this cronie bitch. Hope he gets shafted and that data center gets fucked
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u/MaximilianGoldLtd Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26
What the elected official here has seem to overlook in his blatant attempt to intimidate a taxpayer, his boss, is something called discovery...it means he and the town will be required to turn over every email, meeting notes, call logs, meeting recordings, any and all correspondence, every piece of paper the town has on this...... then every board member, dept head, town employee will be subpoenaed for a depostion,...... then when the suit is dismissed which there is a high probability it will be, the town will be required to pay for the taxpayers legal bills for bringing what looks to be a frivolous waste of time. Then opens himself up to a lawsuit personall....which i would bet the town will not pay for.
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u/Argomaximus Feb 25 '26
Keep up the good fight. AI datacenters in NJ will be the equivalent of our politicians approving landfills in the 70s and 80s They pocketed the kick backs while polluting the whole state!!
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Feb 26 '26
Paul Spinelli, screenshot this:
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you thin-skinned, tantrum throwing man-child. You can’t sue someone for wondering if there is a money trail, or for calling you a thin-skinned, tantrum throwing man child who has nothing but contempt for his neighbors.
I invite you to sue me for “slander” so I can wear my best to court and twerk during discovery.
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u/sockefeller Feb 25 '26
This kind of frail-ego-corruption is so common in our local and state government. I worked in state government for a few years; you would genuinely be shocked at the lengths that people with "power" would go to in order to protect themselves. It feels so impossible to deal with as an employee and hopeless to fight as a tax payer.
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u/RefrigeratorFit7910 Feb 26 '26
Why isn’t nbc10, 6abc, Fox29, and Cbs3 covering any of this? We should send this video directly to them.
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u/Sufficient_Sell_6103 Feb 25 '26
He won't file a lawsuit because 1. He is a public official 2. Citizens are protected 3. He would never submit to discovery of his financials
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u/Inevitable-Issue8686 Feb 25 '26
You cant be posting whatever you want on social media lol. So no you aren't protected. There are consequences for what you post. It doesnt matter if he is a public official or not.
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u/Sufficient_Sell_6103 Feb 26 '26
Incorrect the threshold for slander is much higher for public officials. The public asking if he is financially benefitting from his position on this matter would fall well short of the standard.
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u/JasperDyne Feb 25 '26
This is the sort of story that local newspapers used to cover and expose. Unfortunately, the Daily Journal is just a glorified advertising delivery rag, running regurgitated content from The Courier Post and USA Today with no real local reporters; The Press of AC is only moderately better; and The Inquirer couldn’t care less about what happens in the hinterlands. It’s a sad state of affairs in the Fourth Estate, and we all suffer when information is stifled.
Kudos to the locals doing the work formerly done by paid journalists. This needs to be reposted everywhere. Expose the rot.
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u/surfnfish1972 Feb 25 '26
A Republican I presume?
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u/Schrodingers_Dude 30-something, Camden County Feb 25 '26
Probably, but in NJ local politics it almost doesn't make a difference, they're all assholes. Some just like the taste of boot more than others.
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u/sleeptightburner Feb 25 '26
It does make a difference. I’ll take the slimy politicians who line their own pockets but at least generally respect the law and the constitution, and haven’t sworn allegiance to a fascist dictator, over whatever the fuck these republicans have become these days. They are not the same at all.
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u/aleam_ Feb 25 '26
i get your point, especially re: allegiance to fascist dictator, but if they’re slimy and lining their own pockets at their constituents’ expense, how can you say they respect the law or the constitution? just because they have a D next to their name does not mean a politician believes in anything or that they’ll ever do anything good for the rest of us. just because they have the sense to position themselves against someone so cartoonishly evil doesn’t mean they have your best interest in mind.
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u/sleeptightburner Feb 25 '26
There’s a difference between some local politician giving their cousin’s friend a juicy contract and taking a kickback off the books, and whatever the republicans are doing right now. That’s why I said “generally”. Again, it’s just not even in the same league.
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u/Schrodingers_Dude 30-something, Camden County Feb 25 '26
Yeah, you're right. It's rough to look at the ballot and see Useless Asshole and Fascist Useless Asshole every year.
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u/Target2019-20 Feb 25 '26
I believe all of council ran on the Team Fanucci ticket.
https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/vineland-mayor-anthony-fanucci-announces-reelection-plans/
Correct me if I'm wrong.
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u/DelcoPAMan Feb 25 '26
A moment that definitely calls for an "I'm paying for this microphone, Mr. Spinelli!"
"I have the floor and you WILL listen to me, NOW!"
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u/PinMaximum1018 Feb 25 '26
This should be national news, not local. What kind of politician threatens their constituents?
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u/InvestigatorDeep8074 Feb 25 '26
We, as citizens of these towns, need to pay more attention to our local politics. I for one will be attending my local BOE session starting next week. It’s far past time to start paying attention and following where our monies go. I am sick of the greedy and selfish people who are openly plundering and taking advantage of everyone.
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u/pcserenity Feb 25 '26
All you would need to do is present this video to the judge and the case would be thrown out with HIM paying the legal fees for all involved.
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Feb 26 '26
Spinelli is a thug and a liar! There is ZERO way DATAONE would have sued them to build there! There is no reason DATAONE absolutely HAD to build on that location! What needs to be investigated going back to the beginning of the golf course and the zoning changes there. Is John Ruga owner of Northeast Precast financially invested??Mike Trout?? The Trout National Golf Course AND DATAONE BOTH received the NJ PILOT PROGRAM at the same time. If they were UNAFFILIATED, then why would the application be for both at the same time.
Something stinks like rotten vegetables in Vineland….
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u/m0x1eracerx Feb 26 '26
See Tonetta in the lower left? He's the city solicitor. He just starts rubbing is forehead trying to hide when Spinelli says he might sue residents. LOL, he knows he'll have to explain the SLAPP laws to Spinelli after the council meeting.
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u/Pinky01012 Feb 25 '26
I hope he sleeps well at night.
(Dear internet, this was sarcasm. I know it's hard to tell, but it was.)
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u/Fine-Park8095 Feb 26 '26
This dude called my brother an asshole in a past meeting over the data center. He didn’t realize his mic was still on.
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u/nethingelse Feb 26 '26
I'm no lawyer but doesn't saying "I won't win the case but you'll spend money" during a public meeting that's on-record effectively validate an anti-SLAPP claim? Like that cannot be helpful in even getting the case to advance in the slightest.
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u/NJBarFly Washington Twp Feb 26 '26
There should be 10X more Facebook comments today and 10X more people speaking at the next meeting. And next time, don't let him cut you off. You have a legal right to speak. Don't let a public official take that away. They work for us.
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u/Sistergal34 Feb 26 '26
It’s called “reclaiming my time”. Don’t let them waste your 5 minutes, or is it now 3 minutes?
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u/Level_Dance_4911 Feb 26 '26
Kind of makes me want to run for office. Definitely not qualified but shittttt lol this guy looks like he makes more than me at a zero bar requirement standard
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u/Secret_Account07 Feb 26 '26
Love how we got him on camera admitting to a frivolous lawsuit. I’m no lawyer but that would be exhibit A for when I claim lawyer fees
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u/barroomeyes Salem County Feb 26 '26
I know this isn't the point of this post; however, they should not be allowed to use the natural gas engines for power. They should be required to use CLEAN ENERGY. Gas pollutes, and the engines are very loud.
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u/ForthrightGhost Feb 27 '26
Agreed. All of these people are the worst kinds and aren’t the kind to take things like this into consideration.
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u/barroomeyes Salem County Feb 26 '26
I know this isn't the point of this post; however, they should not be allowed to use the natural gas engines for power. They should be required to use CLEAN ENERGY. Gas pollutes, and the engines are very loud.
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u/barroomeyes Salem County Feb 26 '26
I know this isn't the point of this post; however, they should not be allowed to use the natural gas engines for power. They should be required to use CLEAN ENERGY. Gas pollutes, and the engines are very loud.
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u/mattemer Gloucester County Feb 25 '26
As someone who hears in my town quite often "someone's getting paid" - part me understands where this frustration from the town council is coming from.
Many people who aren't happy with these data centers (or warehouses or cannabis or whatever) blindly start accusing the town council of getting paid.
If this is really happening, it should be fairly easy to prove.
I really appreciate the way this question was asked. I don't remember the exact wording, but anyone currently or previous politicians or friends and families making money.
They were clear no one currently on the committee is getting money. Or their families.
But sounds like SOMEONE that is still connected might be.
The last part of this is, due to zoning laws and such, they might legally be required to approve this or risk a lawsuit.
I don't know the specifics but all towns should have updated zoning laws awhile ago to prevent this.
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u/BaylyWinderNJ2 Feb 25 '26
When I asked this question: are any current or former NJ public officials receiving compensation connected to this data center project?
The response got tense pretty quickly, and I was interrupted and warned about “slander” and lawsuits. It’s a fair question when a major project could reshape part of the community. If everything is above board, then transparency should be easy.
Residents deserve to know who benefits, how decisions are being made, and whether conflicts of interest exist. I’ll keep asking those questions and look forward to talking with you all.
• Bayly Winder, candidate for Congress in NJ’s 2nd District, www.winderforcongress.com
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u/Hasetein2 Mar 02 '26
Hello, im speaking from simply not knowing the answer to this, but, let's say some form of lawsuit happens and we get information that he is totally getting money in one way or another from the Data Center, what then? Is there some legal repercussions he can face or is it up to the voters there to pay attention and vote him out if they decide they dont like that?
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u/mmmellowcorn Feb 25 '26
Did he actually say “I won’t win the case but you’ll spend the money” ????