Posted on 09/06/2007 7:14:55 AM PDT by AliVeritas
NEW YORK -- Eleven public officials were charged Thursday in a widespread FBI corruption investigation, officials said.
At least one state assemblyman, several local mayors and school board officials were arrested by FBI agents in early-morning roundups. The officials are expected to be arraigned on corruption charges in Trenton Thursday afternoon.
United States attorney Chris Christie and FBI Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun are expected to explain the charges at a 3:30 p.m. press conference in Trenton.
WNBC.com has learned that several of the officials were allegedly caught accepting payoffs from undercover agents in a sting operation. Others were charged as part of related corruption investigations. The accused officials served in at least three counties, including Essex, Atlantic and Passaic.
Sources told WNBC.com that those charged include Passaic Mayor Sammy Rivera, Passaic Council members Jonathan Soto and Marcellus Jackson, Orange Mayor Mims Hackett and Passaic Assemblyman Alfred Steele.
Officials said one of those charged was Passaic Mayor Sammy Rivera. Two Passaic Council members have also been charged, sources told WNBC.com.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnbc.com ...
More via Star Ledger: FBI arrests a dozen NJ public officials for bribery http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/09/fbi_arrests_a_dozen_nj_public.html
OT:
SENATOR CLINTON WILL HELP NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS RUN AGAINST BUSH http://www.politicsnj.com/senator-clinton-will-help-new-jersey-democrats-run-against-bush-11428
Corruption in Jersey? What exit?
Need more detail ping.
I’ll be back later to check party affiliation.
Anyone want to start emailing the press on this one?
/sound of crickets...
CHORUS
Move ‘em on, head ‘em up
Head ‘em up, move ‘em on
Move ‘em on, head ‘em up
Rawhide
Count ‘em out, ride ‘em in,
Ride ‘em in, count ‘em out,
Count ‘em out, ride ‘em in
Rawhide!
So what else is new.
Hackett is best pals with the ultra-corrupt Bob Menendez.
Pick one.
And Corzine’s still denying allegations re: Riccio
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-8/118905460218220.xml&coll=1
The NJ Assembly Reps have a list of questions for Riccio though:
NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS HAVE A RIGHT
TO KNOW HIS ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS
The following are a list of questions that Rocco Riccio should be asked to answer if he goes forward with a press conference today to discuss his $15,000 “gift” from Governor Jon Corzine and his employment with the state:
· What exactly did Corzine Administration officials promise Mr. Riccio when he lost his job at the Turnpike Authority?
· Why did Governor Corzine pay Mr. Riccio $15,000, and who was the first person to bring up the issue of money? Did Riccio ask for money? Did Corzine or his aides suggest a payment?
· If this was a private matter between Governor Corzine and Mr. Riccio, as the Governor contends, then why were state resources and staff expended in an effort to obtain private sector employment for Mr. Riccio?
· When and where did he meet with Tom Shea and Ken Zimmerman?
· Whose tax records did Mr. Riccio look up and at whose instruction?
· What did Mr. Riccio do with the information he accessed and who did he share this information with?
· What was the reason officials gave Mr. Riccio for his firing?
· If Mr. Riccio has nothing to hide, does he agree that an independent, special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate the matter and clear his name?
I thought I heard the FOX reporter say it was a Republican scandal.
I am shocked............
But RP says we don’t need the FBI...
New Jersey gets what it deserves because it keeps voting for democrats.
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