A fight between New Jersey’s comptroller and a group of public joint insurance funds escalated late Tuesday when a group of the funds demanded the watchdog apologize for his recent “slanderous” investigation of the industry and accused his office of attempting to obtain confidential documents.

Their complaint echoes one made by insurance brokerage Conner Strong & Buckelew and a related entity operating under the name PERMA that alleges attorneys with acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh’s office improperly attempted to secure documents the firms said are protected by attorney-client privilege. Conner Strong, which has ties to South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross, wants Gov. Phil Murphy to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Office of the State Comptroller.

“Pursuant to

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