NJ corruption case finally ends, 5 years after the FBI sting operation that led to 46 arrests

[proverbialwisdom]

Source: By Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

on October 04, 2014 at 9:00 AM, updated October 04, 2014 at 1:02 PM

The biggest undercover sting in New Jersey history is finally closed, save for a lone, mysterious Israeli cash courier not seen since dozens of mayors, legislators, political operatives, Orthodox rabbis, and a black market kidney broker were arrested five years ago.

The last active case in the sweeping investigation ended Friday with the sentencing of LaVern Webb-Washington, who had been running for Jersey City council at the time of her arrest. She was pulled into the long-running FBI sting after pocketing a portion of the $15,000 in cash a federal informant gave to her in exchange for her promised vote on a bogus real estate project.

Webb-Washington, a one-time community activist, will see no prison time. U.S. District Judge Jose Linares sentenced her to 18 months probation and a $250 fine, after she pleaded guilty in April to mail and wire fraud charges.

“Good luck, and stay out of trouble.” Linares told her.

Webb-Washington’s arrest was part of an undercover operation into political corruption and money laundering that stretched from Brooklyn to the Jersey Shore. While most of those charged in the investigation were not connected with each other, they were all tied together by a single informant—Solomon Dwek—who played the role of a fast-talking corrupt developer looking to launder cash and willing to hand out illicit payoffs and campaign contributions in return for future support.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/landmark_nj_corruption_case_ends_5_years_after_the_fbi_sting_operation_came_to_light.html

[malthaussen]

1. $15,000 in bribes, $250 fine. Damn, I shoulda been a pol.

Interesting story, and the comments section is even more interesting.

-- Mal

[Raine1967]

2. Yes, they are.

I really do believe Christie is toast.

If he avoids prison, I just can't see him running for the office of President. between this story coming back to the surface (and the comments you mentioned) AND the entire Hudson River Tunnel/Sandy Hook thing, NJ reporters are going to have a field day.

[Laxman]

4. It Wasn't A Bribe....

it was an illegal campaign contribution. It may seem like splitting hairs but there was no Quid Pro Quo. Why is it a bribe when Solomon Dwek gives an improper $15,000 donation but just a "mistake" when Sheldon Adelson gives $1million to the RGA? (where there may have actually been a Quid Pro Quo relationship) She got a light sentence because this was a corrupt prosecution from the outset and the she was at the end of the line when all of the faults were on display. Turning it into a federal prosecution was a stretch of the law to say the least. Christie himself violated the same ELEC laws three times by failing to report a substantial personal loan to 1st Asst. U.S. Attorney Michelle Brown on three separate occasions. (That's #10 on the Christie Crime Digest )

[Laxman]

3. Operation "Bid Rig" Was Nothing More Than...

a Christie political operation. They created crime where there was none by sending Solomon Dwek around with envelopes full of cash to see who would take them. Laverne Webb-Washington was indicted for taking an unreported campaign donation. No Quid Pro Quo, a violation of election laws. That doesn't excuse her conduct, but Christie violated the same law when he failed (three times!) to report the personal loan he made to Michelle Brown. The same Michelle Brown who stayed behind at the U.S. Attorney's office while Christie campaigned for governor to maximize the political benefit of Operation Bid Rig. (and by the way-thanks for the loan Chris). If you really want to understand the depravity of this prosecution check out Ruthless Ambition-a book written by one of the defendants who was acquitted of all charges-

Contriving a sting operation with a controversial confidential in.formant, the prosecutors used their public offices to knock out the Democratic political stronghold of Hudson County just prior to the 2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election. In so doing, as would be verified by polling and election results, the prosecutors strategically helped to tilt the election in Christie’s favor.

The false charges lodged against me were subsequently dismissed by two District Court decisions and an Appellate Court decision in a case that prosecutor’s intentionally dragged out until February of 2012. The Courts called my prosecution “legal alchemy.” The initial decision snapped the prosecutors’ record 130 consecutive successful prosecutions streak. The shockwave sent other fraudulent indictments from the sting into a tailspin as the underhanded tactics of prosecutors began to be exposed. But their dirty deeds did not end there.

Little did I know it at the time, but Bid Rig III was merely one spoke in a wheel of what appeared to be contemplated and corrupt conduct on the part of numerous public officials, including Chris Christie, for the purpose of advancing a political agenda. The other spokes of the crooked Christie wheel mirror the latter day scandals that everyone seems to know about. The targeting of innocent individuals, who were regarded as mere props in his escapades, without any value other than to serve the advancing political agenda, seems to be a familiar reappearing pattern in every one of Christie’s abuses.

http://www.ruthlessambitionthebook.com/

This story isn't over until Christie and his minions are held accountable for their conduct in this affair.

[proverbialwisdom]

5. Corruption in NJ is bipartisan, sadly, and it shows in everything. (nt)

[BobbyBoring]

6. Trying to cash 2 25 mil. checks at the drive up window?

Gawd! DMFs!