State audit ratchets up political power play (PESTY TORRICELLI SEEN AS SPOILER)

Star-Ledger ^ | Tuesday, September 16, 2003 | JOSH MARGOLIN

[Liz]

The governor's office dispatched auditors yesterday to review the financial records of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, citing a threat from federal officials to withdraw a $35 million grant for a low- and middle-income housing project.

The move escalates an ongoing battle between Gov. James E. McGreevey and Sen. William Gormley, the powerful Atlantic County Republican who has long exerted influence over the agency that doles out casino fees for economic development projects.

[Liz]

.....former Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) (w)hile in Congress, ....had assisted Kennedy and the Atlantic City Housing Authority in their effort to win the $35 million grant....

Duh. That wouldn't be considered a conflict of interest on Tori's part would it? Duh. Jeepers, I sure wish we had laws against that (/sarcasm off).

[SwinneySwitch]

The "Torch" Torricelli, should be in PRISON!

[HarleyWoodrowMantz]

Liz, You must not be a Jersey resident. We don't have laws against that sort of thing here. It's called Pay-for-Play and stuff that would land you in prison in the civilized world is actually encouraged in Trenton!

[Liz]

...stuff that would land you in prison in the civilized world is actually encouraged in Trenton....

Gee, thanks for that. I stand corrected. Legal in NJ, eh? I had no idea ....duh.

[Liz]

Kennedy said he told the former senator that his services were not necessary. Torricelli did not return a call seeking comment. Gormley said it was "quite a coincidence" that auditors were sent by a governor's office populated by Torricelli allies to go through CRDA records two weeks after Torricelli was rebuffed by Kennedy. Rasmussen said, "Jim Kennedy was right to turn him (Torricelli) away and, quite frankly, we don't need his help and we don't want it."

You've got a lot of company in that.