McGreevey was criticized for appointing Golan Cipel as homeland security adviser because he lacked experience or qualifications for the position.
In addition, Cipel could not gain a security approval from the federal government, as he was Israeli and not a U.S. citizen.
McGreevey had met him in Israel during a trip there in 2000.
McGreevey engaged in an extramarital affair with Cipel.

According to McGreevey in The Confession, The Record was the first newspaper to break the news of an intimate relationship between McGreevey and Cipel.
McGreevey brought up Cipel's name six weeks into his administration in a February 14, 2002, interview with The Record's editorial board at its offices saying:
We will not skimp on security.
We actually brought on a security adviser from the Israel Defense Forces, probably the best in the world.

The interview prompted news investigation into Cipel's background.
On February 21, The Record published a profile of Cipel, calling him a "sailor" and a "poet."
The article stated, "Democrats close to the administration say McGreevey and Cipel have struck up a close friendship and frequently travel together," prompting McGreevey's own mother to confront him about his sexual orientation.
Various media organizations sent reporters to Israel to ask questions about Cipel and his background.

In August 2002, at McGreevey's request, Cipel stepped down from his position as homeland security adviser.
McGreevey was criticized for appointing Golan Cipel as homeland security adviser because he lacked experience or qualifications for the position. In addition, Cipel could not gain a security approval from the federal government, as he was Israeli and not a U.S. citizen. McGreevey had met him in Israel during a trip there in 2000. McGreevey engaged in an extramarital affair with Cipel.
According to McGreevey in The Confession, The Record was the first newspaper to break the news of an intimate relationship between McGreevey and Cipel. McGreevey brought up Cipel's name six weeks into his administration in a February 14, 2002, interview with The Record's editorial board at its offices saying:
We will not skimp on security. We actually brought on a security adviser from the Israel Defense Forces, probably the best in the world.
The interview prompted news investigation into Cipel's background. On February 21, The Record published a profile of Cipel, calling him a "sailor" and a "poet." The article stated, "Democrats close to the administration say McGreevey and Cipel have struck up a close friendship and frequently travel together," prompting McGreevey's own mother to confront him about his sexual orientation. Various media organizations sent reporters to Israel to ask questions about Cipel and his background.
In August 2002, at McGreevey's request, Cipel stepped down from his position as homeland security adviser.
Jim McGreevey