Former Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney has admitted using dozens of pseudonyms to post false statements about a GOP strategist on multiple websites four years ago, an admission he made in a letter of apology published on Sunday in The Record.

The published apology ended a five-year legal battle waged by strategist Alan Marcus in 2014, when Marcus filed a defamation lawsuit over McNerney's postings, largely comments PolitickerNJ stories published before and after the 2014 race for Bergen County executive.

McNerney, who became the first Democrat elected Bergen County executive in 2002, said in the letter that the accusations he made anonymously about Marcus were designed to “scandalize Mr. Marcus for the benefit of Democratic candidates.” The online posts alleged that Marcus committed fraud, blackmail and corruption and was about to be indicted.

LGBT studies controversy:Booker, Menendez join Dems criticizing school trustee who called LGBT studies 'repugnant'

Politics:NJ Senate OKs appointment of Bergen County Dem chair Lou Stellato to NJSEA

Rerturn to politics:Republicans are furious about Michael Saudino's return to the GOP fold

McNerney agreed to a “significant” but undisclosed financial settlement with Marcus, according to the letter, dated April 29.

“I sincerely apologize to Mr. Marcus (with whom I have never spoken nor met) and his family for my irresponsible acts and reprehensible conduct which caused multiple harm to them, Mr. Marcus’ business, his employees and his family,” the letter reads. “I have committed to help remove the internet publications I falsely created.”

The apology says "many of" McNerney's posts about Marcus were false.

Marcus’ attorney, Joseph B. Fiorenzo, said in a statement that McNerney's conduct is a lesson in the harm caused to "victims of internet influence campaigns."

“The day has finally come where defendant Dennis McNerney has been held accountable for his egregious lies to the public," Fiorenzo said. "Mr. Marcus’ persistent efforts helped to uncover McNerney’s abuse of the public trust through these dirty political tricks, and signaled to others that the internet is no longer a safe haven for such cowardly anonymous attacks.”

McNerney's lawyer, Stephen R. Katzman, declined to comment. He said he cannot disclose the amount of the settlement. Reached by phone, McNerney said the number of pseudonyms he used was 17. The apology says there were "dozens."

Marcus, president and CEO of public relations firm The Marcus Group, alleged that negative publicity resulting from McNerney’s comments cost the firm $16.4 million. McNerney offered a $500,000 settlement in November, court documents show.

McNerney was the county executive for two terms until he was unseated in 2010 by Republican Kathleen Donovan. Marcus was Donovan's spokesman and strategist.

At the time McNerney wrote the posts about Marcus, Democrat Jim Tedesco was challenging Donovan. Tedesco won that race and was re-elected in 2018.

Email: mcdonaldt@northjersey.com