BIG DEM DONOR UNDER SCRUTINY: Port Authority nominee's stake in bank, campaign cash questioned

GANNETT STATE BUREAU ^ | 2/25/03 | MICHAEL SYMONS

[Liz]

TRENTON -- Wealthy developer Charles Kushner -- Gov. McGreevey's choice to become chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey -- amended his financial disclosure statement twice last week to clarify his relationship with NorCrown Bank.

But the Senate Judiciary Committee still wants him to testify before it votes on the nomination.

[Liz]

NorCrown Bank has 10 members of its board of directors, including Kushner. In June 2001, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., joined the board of directors after his retirement from the Senate. Lautenberg was re-elected to the Senate last year and is no longer on the board.

Clintons got Kushner donations as did ex-Senator Torricelli. Now that he's out of work, the Torch is angling for business deals with real estate entities Kushner controls, hoping to become a developer. Torch a real estate developer? He's gonna give developers a "bad name."

[an amused spectator]

POLITICAL PAYOFFS 101: Port Boss Facing Suit Over Gifts (Torricelli, Clinton connection)
The New York Observer 2/17/2003 Tom McGeveran.

Let's not forget your post from a week or two ago. ;-)

[Liz]

Thanx for the link....and for keeping track of Dem donors in hot water.

[Liz]

.....Mr Bundle ping..........

[OldFriend]

And how much play will this get in the lamestream media?????

[holden]

That letter -- which apparently would make Kushner's campaign contributions to state candidates and parties illegal

Don't these clown reporters get it that it's not a lawyer's letter that "makes contributions illegal?" The facts underlying the situation do that. Geez, you think if the letter is retracted, amended or disavowed it could be legal again? Another product of our public schools this reporter no doubt is. < /yoda>

HF

[Liz]

The reporter misplaced the story's emphasis.

He should have emphasized the letter was an admission, of wrongdoing.

Amazing how these slippery shady Dems manage to wiggle out of their self-made corruption.
They all use the same MO as Clinton who is the Master of deceit.

[genefromjersey]

One of the ( to me ) surprising things about this whole mess is the attitude of Gannett Press, which can almost always be counted on to endorse Democrats, and to "smooth over", and " yes, but " any Democratic misconduct.

Gannett Press endorsed Mc Greevey - twice ; but, since his election, has actually taken the lead in exposing some of his shenanigans.

[Liz]

There's been a number of FR posts on Gannett reporters piling on Democrats.....really piling it on.

[MattinNJ]

Ping. Will someone please explain why the NJ press is actually being impartial. They snuffed the Torch, exposed McGreevey's shenanigans, and now are going after the dem kingmaker.

[mewzilla]

I see McSleazy is at it again.

[Miss Marple]

Perhaps this is why McGreevey was amazingly conciliatory and non-confrontational on Fox two days ago, and was talking about the governors cooperating with the administration, rather than opposing them.

I thought it odd at the time, given as how the spin from the democrat governors has been that they aren't being given enough money to fight the war on terror.

[Liz]

Dummycrats are great at taking....and taking....and taking.

[Liz]

FReepers inside the state say that his new wife (his second) wants to leave the marriage....
stranding the phony "family man" high and dry. How will he explain that to his constituents?

[upchuck]

Amazing that this would come from a Gannett outfit. They own the Curious-Urinal here in Louisville. And that rag is as partisan as ever, maybe more.

[Liz]

The stench there from the mucking Dumbocrats is so foul, that somebody had to to something.

[Liz]

Probably figured out the country was getting more conservative. Have to go where the readership goes.

[gaspar]

Perhaps they can't stand the smell of corruption that hangs heavy over New Jersey. Be honest! If you were offered a free week-end vacation in New Jersey with all expenses paid would you take it?

[Redbob]

"People who own a majority interest in a state-chartered bank are prohibited by state law from making political contributions."

In fairness to Kushner, why should your investments determine whether or not you're permitted political speech?
Is that what the First Amendment says?

And that is what campaign contributions are: political speech.

[eureka!]

Mr. Bundle Bump. ;^)