Posted on 09/19/2006 5:50:14 PM PDT by jdm
A powerful New Jersey politician accused of being paid for a job that required no work at a scandal-ridden state university denied the report from a federal monitor who had investigated the school's finances.
Wayne Bryant, state Senate Budget Committee chairman, said he served his responsibilities for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and claimed the report was "not accurate in many respects."
"I regularly performed the various duties and services that were consistent with my job description," the Democrat said in a statement.
Neither he nor his lawyer, Carl Poplar, returned calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.
The monitor, Herbert J. Stern, appointed last year to look into possible Medicare and Medicaid fraud at the state-run medical school, broadened his search and said the university wasted money on unneeded jobs for politicians.
Stern said that the school created a job for Bryant in 2003 and that the politician showed up only one morning per week - at most - and did nothing more than read newspapers. He was paid $35,000 per year for the job, which he held for three years.
Bryant has not been charged with any crimes, and the report did not say whether he should be. U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie is reviewing the report.
Bryant also denied the report's claim that he did not grant an interview to investigators.
"The monitor never made any bona fide attempt to interview me," Bryant said. "I was always willing to cooperate with any bona fide inquiry."
In the report, Stern said an interview was requested through Bryant's lawyer.
Bryant is under attack politically. Gov. Jon S. Corzine suggested on Monday that Bryant step aside as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
And Tuesday, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, called on Bryant to resign from the Senate.
"This type of allegation soils the image of the entire Legislature and failing to act will convey a horrible message to an already skeptical public," she said.
Okay, I have a question for the class.
Who are more corrupt? Democrats politicians from Louisiana, or Democrats politicians from New Jersey?
Is this a trick question?
Democrat politicians who work in Washington, DC
Was this guy an Israeli Seaman?
Isn't that what Medicare and Medicaid are supposed to be used for? How are these useless politicians going to make a living if some government program doesn't support them?
"George Bush made him do it!"
(MSM answer)
Christie is going to screw this up - take these people to trial, and let the dirty laundry be aired.
Another NJ Dem caught with his hand in the cookie jar of corruption; with the non-elected Senator Menendez leading the pack. This can only help New Jersey GOP candidates in November. Am I right or wrong?
I was going to say the Democrat politicians from Massachusetts.
Bryant, on top of former Senate President Lynch (D) who recently pleaded guilty to corruption, ought to make it much easier for Kean to beat Menendez. If Menendez wins, New Jersey can be officially declared a toxic waste pit of corruption beyond redemption.
REPUBLICAN CULTURE OF CORRUPTION.... < /S >
Interesting. This was the only mention of any political affiliation in the entire article. By defalt, all the other politicians in the article must be Democrats.
LOL! Tough question,you'll have to give us some time to work on this one.
Doggone it, Dog Gone, I posted that reply to the wrong person.
I really don't know the answer to the question I posed. For years, it was the Louisiana Democrats, hands down.
But I think New Jersey has caught up, at least.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine suggested on Monday that Bryant step aside as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
Sheesh, this crook is in charge of the Budget Committee???
I gotta agree with that.
fog..geda boutit!!! business as usualin joisey.....just ask bella pelosi...it is bush and the republican culture of corruption!!!
"Bryant is under attack politically. Gov. Jon S. Corzine suggested on Monday that Bryant step aside as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee."
Next in line for that seat is Sharpe James - New Jersey is hopeless.
A liar for a governor, and a Legislature full of panderers and attorneys.
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