and the RATS, take another one in the...............HA ha!!!
Posted on 10/10/2007 4:38:48 PM PDT by LdSentinal
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The mayor of this gambling resort resigned Wednesday after a two-week absence from office during which he checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic.
Robert Levy's disappearance came amid a federal investigation for embellishing his Army service in Vietnam.
"Mr. Levy has concluded that public confidence is so eroded by these circumstances that the only responsible action is to step down," his attorney, Edwin Jacobs, said. "He does so with great regret and with apologies to his supporters, to the people of Atlantic City, and to his family and friends."
The president of the seaside city's council has been sworn in as acting mayor.
City officials last heard from Levy on Sept. 26, when he called in sick, climbed into his city-issued Dodge Durango and seemingly vanished. Aides to Levy, a Democrat who took office in January 2006, would only say that he was hospitalized somewhere, and would not disclose his condition.
Jacobs said Levy checked himself into a clinic because he'd been overmedicating himself with pain pills to treat severe back pain, as well as using different medication to treat post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his war service.
"He needed to get off the medication he was taking. I wouldn't call it an addiction. It was a detox situation," Jacobs said.
Jacobs said he met with Levy on Sept. 23.
"It was apparent to me as a layman, that he was experiencing medical problems. Bob Levy was in a medical crisis and needed a leave of absence," Jacobs said during a news conference Wednesday.
Levy did not attend the conference. At his home, a sign was taped to the front door that read "No reporters, please! We have no comment. Thank you for respecting our privacy."
On Sept. 24, according to Jacobs, he brought Levy to a doctor who confirmed Levy had been overmedicating himself. Two days after that, on Sept. 26, Levy checked himself in to a facility that treats substance abuse and mental health issues.
Details about the mayor's whereabouts began emerging Tuesday, when Jacobs met with a judge considering a City Council request to declare Levy's office vacant.
Afterward, Jacobs announced that Levy was at home after spending a week at the clinic, but he wouldn't elaborate on why Levy went there.
Last fall, The Press of Atlantic City reported that the Vietnam veteran's claims that he was a member of the Green Berets were untrue. He apologized, but federal authorities have been looking into whether Levy made that claim to increase his benefits.
On Wednesday, Jacobs said the mayor was in discussions with the U.S. Attorney's Office about resolving the investigation.
Levy served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and was awarded numerous medals and citations. But Levy did not deserve two of the military decorations he received, and those awards led to his benefits being boosted by about $24,000 over a number of years, Jacobs said. The lawyer would not clarify how the citations led to the increase.
When asked if Levy was willing to pay the amount back, Jacobs said, "If he's done anything wrong, Bob Levy will be completely responsible for it."
A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs spokesman declined to discuss Levy's benefits.
Gov. Corzine, who had directed the state attorney general's office to look into the possibility of replacing Levy, said it was "clearly better for Atlantic City that there is a situation that has certainty about who will be the mayor."
Corzine, pointing to the multi-billion dollar casino that MGM Mirage Inc. announced Wednesday that it would be building in the gambling city, said its important that businesses feel secure investing in Atlantic City.
Levy's resignation cleared the way for City Council President William "Speedy" Marsh, a fellow Democrat, to take over.
Before Levy's resignation, fed-up members of the city council had asked a judge to declare the mayor's office vacant.
Levy's disappearance roiled this casino resort, where four of the eight mayors that preceded him were arrested on corruption charges.
Sworn in as acting mayor, Marsh promised to restore residents' trust in city government.
He brings his own baggage to the office. Marsh and another former mayor were paid $850,000 by the city to settle claims they had been wrongfully terminated from previous city jobs due to political retaliation.
But the state Supreme Court in May ordered Marsh to repay more than $363,000 of that money. The court found it problematic that when the City Council approved the payment, Langford had already became mayor.
Marsh is involved in court proceedings regarding how the money is to be repaid.
In a complicated succession process, Marsh will serve as acting mayor until the City Council picks an interim mayor from names offered by the local Democratic Party.
The interim mayor would serve until a special election is held next year. If the council doesn't pick an interim mayor, a special election could be needed this fall.
Another mayoral election for the 4-year post would be held in 2009.
Sworn in as acting mayor, Marsh promised to restore residents’ trust in city government.
LOL!!! you cannot restore something that never existed.
Somebody at the AP slipped up. He was identified as a Democrat way too early in the article.
When you resign in New Jersey the sole purpose is to protect the ole’ pension. THAT’s all these criminals called politicians care about.
Quick, someone ping Kerry.
One more “phoney soldier” identified. How many more?
Rehabracadabra strikes again.
Another lying Jersey rat with his tail caught in the truth. Will the dumbies in New Jersey ever learn?
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