UGLY DAY FOR NEW JERSEY: Corzine, Christie decry corruption, call for resignations

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The head shaking level of public corruption that surfaced Thursday is a nightmare come to life for Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and a dream come true for his Republican challenger Chris Christie, the former New Jersey U.S. attorney who was actually credited by current New Jersey Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra Jr. with helping to oversee the investigation that has spanned 10 years, including the nearly 8 years in which Christie was the state's top federal prosecutor.

At a hastily called press conference in Newark, Corzine, with state Attorney General Anne Milgram at his side, said, “Any corruption is unacceptable – anywhere, anytime, by anybody. The scale of corruption we’re seeing as this unfolds is simply outrageous and cannot be tolerated.”

As Corzine spoke, a key member of his cabinet, Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria, resigned as federal agents searched his Trenton office and Bayonne home, and Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith (D-Hudson), who is charged in the probe, remained out of state and out of custody.

The ugly day was mainly on the upside for Christie. He is making his anti-corruption record as U.S. attorney a key part of his campaign

As he and his running mate for lieutenant governor, Monmouth Sheriff Kim Guadagno made a campaign stop in Wayne, Christie called for the resignation of Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt (R-Ocean), who is also accused in the investigation.

"Now more than ever, New Jersey needs elected officials who are committed to honesty, integrity and a higher standard of ethics,'' Christie said. "Assemblyman Van Pelt has failed the people he was elected to serve and has violated their trust. He has no other choice but to resign immediately and allow the people of Ocean County to elect an official who will out the people before personal self-interest.''

While Doria has not be charged with wrongdoing, Van Pelt has been accused taking a $10,000 bribe from the main prosecution witness in the probe, an Ocean Township real estate developer identified as Solomon Dwek. Van Pelt is accused of promising tio use his influence as an Assemblyman to gain building permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection in return for the bribe. Smith is accused of taking cash payments of $10,000 and $5,000 to help Dwek obtain DEP permits for a building project in Jersey City.

Federal authorities said Dwek was wearing a wire throughout the investigation and that many of the bribe exchanges were videotaped.

Joseph Doria resigns from Corzine's cabinet after FBI raid

Corruption arrests hurt Corzine, bolster Christie

U.S. Attorney: Two-track investigation of political corruption and international money laundering rings

U.S. Attorney: New Jersey public corruption investigation

U.S. Attorney: The money laundering investigation

Who's who: The 44 arrested in N.J. corruption sting

New Jersey legislative leaders react to corruption shock

Daggett: Only an independent can fix the mess in Trenton

Editorial cartoonist Mike Scott's take