TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The once-stalled judicial nomination of a close Gov. Christie associate appears headed for final approval, despite questions about the nominee’s alleged ties to a convicted swindler.

Joseph Oxley was among 16 Superior Court judicial nominees unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

The former Monmouth County Sheriff’s nomination had been questioned by Democrats seeking information about an FBI informant’s claim that Oxley tipped him off in advance to property foreclosure sales.

The U.S. attorney’s office said it was unable to support the claims by government informant Solomon Dwek.

Dwek pleaded guilty to a $50 million bank fraud and helped the government arrest 46 people in a massive corruption and money laundering sting. Oxley wasn’t charged.

Oxley was not questioned about his association with Dwek during the confirmation hearing.

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