Political Corruption Roundup in Monmouth County

Political Corruption Roundup in Monmouth County: 11 Sitting and Former Public Officials Charged with Extortion

NEWARK - Eleven sitting and former Monmouth County public officials - including the current mayors of Keyport, Hazlet and West Long Branch - were arrested today, charged with extorting cash bribes and free work from a contractor who was cooperating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie and FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Billy, Jr. announced.

In an unprecedented roundup of public officials in a single New Jersey county in a single day, FBI agents made the arrests early this morning, acting on arrest warrants signed Friday with the filing of eight Criminal Complaints under seal in federal court. The arrests are part of a long-running undercover investigation during which Monmouth County public officials accepted and sought to perpetuate corrupt payments from the contractor.

"What we discovered is that this was business as usual across a surprisingly wide swath of Monmouth County, where an attitude of greed, arrogance and entitlement prevailed," Christie said. "These complaints portray a shocking eagerness and ease with which these public officials engaged in criminal activity, to trade contracts for cash or even to be involved in money laundering."

"I can assure you that we and the FBI are not done in Monmouth County," Christie added.

More: http://www.politicsnj.com/christie022205.htm

DOUG FORRESTER FOR GOVERNOR

"We are disappointed to hear about today’s events. These are serious allegations and we are confident that the authorities will conduct a full and thorough investigation," said Forrester spokesperson John Radziejewski. "This problem affects all levels of government and is the reason Doug Forrester has been taking the lead in calling for an independent auditor general and serious, meaningful ethics reform to relieve the hard-working families of New Jersey of the corruption tax that costs us millions of dollars each year."

http://www.politicsnj.com/forrester022205.htm