Free Republic

A judge is considering whether to allow the former deputy mayor of Jersey City to remain free on bail while she appeals her conviction on corruption charges. Leona Beldini is due to report to federal prison Aug. 2 to serve a three-year term. Her lawyer argued Monday in a Newark federal court that the jury was not properly instructed on some of the charges. Beldini, a Democrat, was among 44 people arrested last July in New Jersey's largest federal corruption sting. She was convicted at trial accepting $20,000 in illegal donations from an undercover informant posing as a developer. She...

NEWARK, N.J. - The mayors of two New Jersey cities, a state legislator and several rabbis were arrested Thursday in connection with a major corruption and international money-laundering conspiracy probe. Some of the suspects were also allegedly involved in an illegal human organ-selling ring. Among about 30 people arrested Thursday were Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, former Jersey City Council President L. Harvey Smith and state Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt. Van Pelt is accused of accepting $10,000 from a government witness posing as a developer seeking permit help. Story continues...