New Jersey legislative leaders react to corruption shock

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Reacting to the shock of Thursday's public corruption roundup, Assembly leaders called for the resignation of the two legislators charged in the probe, Assemblymen L. Harvery Smith (D-Hudson) and Daniel M. Van Pelt (R-Ocean).

"I wholeheartedly agree with the governor's call for Assemblymen Smith and Van Pelt to do what is best for their constituents and the Assembly and resign from office,'' said Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden). "The scope of the allegations made today are shocking and disgusting. I am immediately removing Assemblymen Smith and Van Pelt from their committee assignments."

Smith was a member of the Higher Education and the Transportation committees. Van Pelt was a member of the Military and Veterans Affairs and the Environment and Solid Waste committees. As of Thursday evening, neither lawmaker had resigned. Both would face re-election in November.

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris) called for Van Pelt to step down .“I am calling on Assemblyman Van Pelt to immediately resign from the Assembly," DeCroce said. "He cannot represent his district effectively with this cloud hanging over his head. The people of the 9th District (which included parts of Ocean, Burlington and Atlantic counties) are entitled to a representative who is above suspicion and beyond reproach. These allegations are disturbing. No betrayal of the public trust can be tolerated. Republicans have long advocated for stronger ethics reforms that hold all public officials accountable for their actions. These reforms apply to all office holders, regardless of their party affiliation.”

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union) reacted as the state Democratic chairman.

"The widespread extent of these public corruption charges is beyond shocking,'' Cryan said. "As a party, Democrats absolutely condemn public corruption in any and every form. New Jersey residents expect ethical behavior from the officials they have elected to represent them. In the interest of all New Jerseyans, I am calling for the immediate resignation of Assemblyman Smith.''

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