Teen's Benefactor Snubs TV Reporter on Lawsuit Issue

While the world watched as a Morris County family unraveled in public as an 18-year-old sued her parents for living expenses, one person involved also found the spotlight without ever speaking publicly about it.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township attorney John Inglesino, the former Rockaway Township mayor and former Morris County Freeholder, not only let Rachel Canning stay at his home – Inglesino's daughter and Canning are friends – but he bankrolled the teen's lawsuit against her parents.

Canning sued her parents for living expenses and an outstanding Morris Catholic High School tuition bill, as well as future college tuition bills after spending four months living out of the family's Lincoln Park home. 

In the time since the court documents were filed on Feb. 26, Inglesino has not made any statements to the media or public about the situation. He did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls from Patch.

Sibile Marcellus, a reporter with My9 News Chasing NJ caught up with the longtime friend of Governor Chris Christie Tuesday night, and asked why he decided to let Rachel Canning stay at his home. 

All Inglesino would give back, through a smirk, was, "I'm trying to do my job here, but thank you very much."

The segment also catches up with former New Jersey Assemblyman and current Mendham Township committeeman Richard Merkt, who alleges Inglesino, acting as a "surrogate" for Christie, tried persuading him from running against the then-Attorney General in the 2009 Republican Gubernatorial Primary Election.

The attorney for Canning's parents, Elizabeth and Sean, announced Wednesday that the teen had returned home.