New Jersey's Dennis Elwell On Trial.

July 5, 2011 at 2:15 P.M. "Errors" inserted overnight will now be corrected.

Peter J. Sampson, "Ex-Mayor in Court for Corruption Case Today," in The Record, June 20, 2011, at p. A-1.

"Nearly two years after his arrest in an unprecedented roundup of state legislators and local officials, former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell goes on trial today, accused of conspiring to extort $10,000 from a developer [the newly-rearrested, Solomon Dwek] offering cash for approvals."

This typical N.J. story of corruption in politics is symbolic of what remains unchanged in a state where Ms. Guardagno is, allegedly and reputedly, "friendly" with Diana Lisa Riccioli as well as the Tacetta brothers: Double standards, sweetheart deals, behind-the-back politics and character assassination aimed at uncontrollable lawyers who will not do "favors" for politicians. All of this is business as usual in New Jersey. ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "New Jersey's Politically Connected Lawyers on the Tit.")

Mr. Christie must step up to the plate and accept responsibility for his state's hopelessly soiled reputation based on incompetence and corruption in what must be regarded as a failed legal system. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")

There is no painless alternative to the truth in this matter, Mr. Christie. Admittedly, truth is a stranger to New Jersey's legal proceedings -- especially when they are conducted "behind-the-backs" of their victims. We must deal with this situation honestly and freely, Mr. Christie. This is the only way in which we can all "move on." ("Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")

The continuing spectacle of corruption and farcical legal proceedings before bribed judges has made New Jersey a global byword for absurdity and crime in government. To avoid additional embarassment and further loss of respect and/or resources for the Garden State, it behooves the powers-that-be in Trenton -- powers on both sides of the law! -- to deal with this grotesque travesty of justice at the agency entrusted with enforcing legal ethics, such as they are, in New Jersey. ("New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" and "Is America's Legal Ethics a Lie?" then "American Doctors and Torture" and "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System.")

"To date, 31 of the 46 defendants charged in the massive probe [of the state's mob-dominated court system] have pleaded guilty or been convicted at full trials. Among them are a state assemblyman, a Hoboken mayor, and two councilmen and a deputy mayor from Jersey City." (Again: "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" then "New Jersey is Lucky Luciano's Havana.")

The vast majority of these persons are -- or were -- New Jersey lawyers, many having served (allegedly) on what is laughingly called the "legal ethics committee." ("American Legal Ethics Today" and "Richard A. Posner on Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.")

Lawyers and judges I know in New Jersey are ashamed of the state's dismal legal reality of mafia contamination and ineptitude. ("Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "No More Cover Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" then "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whore House" and "New Jersey's Feces Covered Supreme Court.")

Good Luck, Mr. Elwell. Perhaps Alex Booth can call some of those witnesses for you or speak to his friends in politics on your behalf. Give my best to Mr. Booth, Howard Brownstein, Esq. and Robert Barry, Esq., who may be joining you on trial soon.

A list of numerous sources offering examples of political corruption in New Jersey over the last month will soon be added to this post and blog.

Sources:

Ted Sherman, "District Promotion, Hiring Practices Probed," in The Record, June 13, 2011, at p. A-3. (Elizabeth school board tied jobs to political gifts to Democrat machine politicians and is now under investigation by state as well as feds.)

AP, "Teacher Admits Sex With Teen," in The Record, June 13, 2011, at p. A-3. (Hudson County's child sex scandals continue with more allegations of corruption.)

David Klepper, "States Giving Slack on Teens' Sexting," in The Record, June 13, 2011, at p. A-7. (Teens in New Jersey -- a state that leads the nation in child porn -- sending home-made porn to one another, sometimes at the request of adults.)

"Sweeney's Moment," (Editorial) in The Record, June 13, 2011, at p. A-11. (Does Sweeney betray the unions?)

J. Renshaw, C. Megerian, M.J., Clayton, "Deal Struck on Benefits: State Leaders Reach Accord on Plan for Workers to Pay More," in The Record, June 16, 2011, at p. A-1. (Will this "work out," financially, despite the expected thefts and pay-offs to politicians screwing over the workers?)

John Reitmeyer, "Audit Finds Halfway Houses Mismanaged: Operators Were 'Overpaid' Nearly $600,000 in 6-Year Plan," in The Record, June 16, 2011, at p. A-3. ($600,000 was "overpaid" to persons operating halfway houses for inmates in New Jersey. The FULL $64 MILLION budget for corrections is under examination for theft. Money and resources are being stolen from inmates and taxpayers every year in New Jersey. "Let's get tough on crime," Senator Bob.)

Zach Patberg, "Councilman Faces Probe: State Auditors Cite Job Violations Involving Two City Staffers," in The Record, June 16, 2011, at p. L-3. (Benjie Wimberley [D] of Passaic is under investigation as yet another possibly or allegedly corrupt politician in New Jersey -- one of several this week.)

Jeff Pillets & Peter J. Sampson, "Ferreiro Got Free Benefits: Probe Questions Health Coverage by Sewer Agency," in The Record, (Joe Ferreiro continues to scam public benefits after doing time for his various scams.)

AP, "40 Dead in Baghdad After Latest Bombing," in The Star Ledger, June 24, 2011, at p. 6. (Iraq is all done, right?)

Jason Grant, "How One Hacker Breached 120K I-Pads," in The Star Ledger, June 24, 2011, at p. 16. (Cyberwars may be coming to New Jersey.)

David G. Savage, "The Court Gives a Pair of Wins to Big Pharma: Rulings Shield Generics and OK Data Mining," in The Record, June 24, 2011, at p. 20. (Pziser is happy since US Supreme Court removed warning requirement from generic drugs and allowed for use of private medication information of unknowing patients for "advertising" purposes. "'The Constant Gardener': A Movie Review.")

Mathew McGrath & John C. Eslin, "String of Raids Break Up Drug Ring: Cops Say it [They?] Supplied Bergen and Passaic," in The Record, June 24, 2011, at p. A-1. (Allegedly, politically protected drug ring may have served local lawyers and judges in New Jersey.)

John Brenan, "$400 Million in Tax breaks Advances: Former Xanadu and Bendix Sites to Benefit," in The Record, June 24, 2011, at p. L-2. (More money for the mafia not to build a mall costing around $3-4 BILLION when all is said and done. So far, no mall and no money.)

John Petrick, "Top Soil's Owner Fitness Weighed," in The Record, June 24, 2011, at p. L-3. (Knowing defiance of court orders to clean up toxic sites in Wayne, New Jersey may be allowed due to "lack of awareness." "Enjoy your cancers, New Jerseyeans!" says this disturbed owner -- allegedly.)

Hugh R. Morley, "Former Bank VP Charged: $19 MILLION Embezzlement Scheme Called 'Ultimate' Inside Job," in The Record, June 28, 2011, at p. A-1. (There are lots of ways to rob a bank, right Mr. Garcia? Ms. Kriko?)

Peter J. Sampson, "Elwell Denies Taking a Bribe: Secaucus Ex-Mayor Says He Never 'Promised' Action," in The Record, June 25, 2011, at p. A-1. (He just wanted to wet his beak.)

Kibret Marcos, "Use of Informants Blasted: ACLU Calls for Statewide Policies," in The Record, June 28, 2011, at p. L-1. (Chaotic and unprofessional -- "that's so irresponsible!" -- use of informants by police in Bergen and Passaic under scrutiny. Other counties are reviewing their policies with secret behind-the-back targeting of politically disfavored victims, right Boss Bob?)

Leslie Brody & Dave Sheingold, "Budget Cuts Create Education Exodus: More than 4,700 Teachers Have Left Public Schools," in The Record, June 27, 2011, at p. A-1. (4,700 good N.J. teachers being lost because they are tired of being robbed and manipulated by both their union and local politicians in search of scapegoats.)

Chris Megerian & Mary Ann Spoto, "Report Faults Police Handling of Informants: ACLU Says State Lacks Clear Policy," in The Record, June 27, 2011, at p. A-3. (Total disdain for privacy rights and other civil entitlements by rogue police officers acting, secretly, for political bosses.)

"Fair Incentive: Tax Break Helps Completed Projects," (Editorial) in The Record, June 27, 2011, at p. A-11. ($350 MILLION for Xanadu/American Dream SCAMS to open a mall in N.J. costing over $3 BILLION -- maybe to finally open that mall or hold out for more money because it is not "completed" yet.)

Chris Megerian & Mary Ann Spoto, "ACLU Alleging Misuse of Criminal Informants: Report Says Police Are Cutting Corners, Even Using Threats," in The Star Ledger, June 27, 2011, at p. 1. (Confidential informants are being misused by police through malice as well as incompetence, committing criminal violations of civil rights and covering up their actions, like the OAE in Trenton: "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "Jennifer Velez is a Dyke Magnet!")

James M. O'Neill, "Polluters Rewriting Rules for Cleanup: State Says it Invited Evasion Mentality," in The Record, May 31, 2011, at p. A-1. (A fox inside the chicken coop.)

"Legal Aid: Funding Needed for Assistance Program," (Editorial) in The Record, May 31, 2011, at p. A-8. (Legal aid for the poor is in crisis in N.J. where 50% fewer cases can be taken for full representation, so that 2 of 3 eligible persons must be denied legal services.)

Justo Renshaw & Chris Megerian, "Christie Benefits Upstart Dems in Hudson County," in The Record, May 31, 2011, at p. 1. (Boss Bob is fighting for his political turf and survival.)

Mary Ann Spoto, "Slashed Funding Forces Poor to be Their Own Lawyers," in The Record, May 23, 2011, at p. A-5. (Due process concerns reach crisis levels as poor litigants are denied all representation in New Jersey courts. Stuart Rabner, seemingly, worries only about Mr. Prisco and not poor defendants: "Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "No More Cover Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" )

Chris Harris, "Roomate Denies Guilt, Rutgers Sucide Victim's Parents Eager to See justice," in The Record, May 24, 2011, at p. A-1. (Intentional infliction of emotional distress results in death or devastating injury in many cases of cybercrime and bullying.)

Dave N. Brackett, "Judicious Use of Torture Enhances Our Freedom," in The Record, May 24, 2011, at p. A-11. (New Jerseyeans -- many, no doubt, are members of the state's soiled legal profession -- FAVOR torture in legal proceedings as well as interrogations. How about the burning of witches? Slavery?)

Kathleen Lynn, "Home Prices Fall Again: 'Double Dip' Below 2009 Level," in The Record, June 1, 2011, at p. A-1. (Try to sell your New Jersey house before the next tax increase -- lots of luck.)