Washington DC, Yesterday, the Senate Ethics committee released a Public Letter of Admonition signed unanimously by both Republicans and Democrats to Senator Bob Menendez that, after a thorough and complete investigation, concluded his actions violated federal law, violated Senate Rules, and brought discredit upon the Senate.
“The Committee has determined that this conduct violated Senate Rules, federal law, and applicable standards of conduct. Accordingly, the Committee issues you this Public Letter of Admonition, and also
directs you to repay the fair market value of all impermissible gifts not already repaid,” read the letter signed by both Republican and Democrat members.
“Both Democrats and Republicans that make up the Bipartisan Senate Ethics Committee have found that Senator Bob Menendez violated Federal law and ethics rules. He is an embarrassment to our state and it is time for him to resign,” said Hugin.
Bob Hugin, a Marine Corps Veteran and business leader who has created thousands of New Jersey jobs, is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate to challenge incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Menendez
Hackensack NJ, 5th District Republican candidate Steve Lonegan said he was stunned today to learn of allegations of possible illegal actions at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.
As reported in northjersey.com, the Sheriff’s Office is now the target of a lawsuit brought by former finance director, Omid Bayati, who says he was retaliated against after blowing the whistle on alleged unlawful activities, including “inappropriate vendor deals” and a plan to use $7.5 million in federal money “to keep the budget flat during County Executive James Tedesco’s reelection campaign.”
In a lawsuit, filed on April 20, 2018, in Bergen County Superior Court, it is alleged that in violation of State Law, that a meeting was held in “late 2017” in which “ a meeting was called by the County for all Department heads in relation to the budget. At that meeting, the County CFO noted that it was an election year for the County Executive and therefore there needed to be a zero percent increase in the budget. In order to accomplish this, they decided to rely upon funding from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to partially fund the Sheriff’s Office
Bergenfield Mayor, and Bergen County Executive candidate Norman Schmelz has asked the United States Department of Justice to investigate the Bergen County Executive’s Office, including the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of Bergen County, for conspiring to use Federal Funds to aid in the reelection of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.
Lonegan noted ,“John McCann was the right hand man of Sheriff Michael Saudino, a Democrat, while these alleged activities were going on. He was his chief counsel and he is implicated in all of this,” Lonegan stated. “If Mr. Bayati is telling the truth, it means John McCann disregarded the evidence presented to him and failed to investigate his claims. His job was to protect taxpayers, not the Democrat he worked for and not the Democratic County Executive.”
“A disturbing pattern seems to be emerging here regarding John McCann. Is it incompetence or is it corruption? The people in District 5 deserve answers. What did John McCann know and when did he know it?”
Mayor Schmelz, wrote, “If these allegations are true, then the public needs to know, who was involved, what was agreed upon, and how much taxpayer dollars are being used for political purposes.”
Schmelz continued, “The allegations are clear that Federal Tax dollars (and possibly state and local tax dollars as well) are being used for political purposes, instead of providing essential services in a proper manner.”
The Schmelz letter continued, “It is inconceivable and outrageous that such illegal activities are taking place in the offices of the Bergen County Executive. Each person who had knowledge of such activities should immediately come forward, divulge what they know, and resign forthwith. Anything less than that is unacceptable.”
Schmelz concluded, “I ask that the Department of Justice investigate these allegations presented in a court of law, that if true contain a clear and compelling picture of illegality at the highest levels of government. This breach of trust, is devastating to hard working taxpayers who demand their tax dollar be spent on essential government services, not for political agendas as is alleged.”
Mahwah NJ, A tractor and attached flatbed trailer rolled over on the Interstate Route 287 “flyover” in Mahwah Wednesday morning, 04/25. The trailer’s load of wooden pallets spilled off onto the “flyover” during the incident.
A “flyover ramp” is an overpass is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway. An overpass and underpass together form a grade separation. Stack interchanges are made up of many overpasses.
Mahwah Police, Mahwah Fire department, and NJSP Troop B personnel responded to the scene along with NJDOT Emergency Response units. No word on injuries to the tractor driver, nor if there was a passenger in the vehicle. A heavy duty tow truck righted the vehicles before they were removed from the scene. The “flyover” was closed for an extended period while tow truck and NJDOT Emergency Response workers cleaned up the mess.
Hawthorne NJ, Hawthorne Police and Hawthorne EMS responded to aid the injured adult female driver of a 4-door sedan that crashed into a utility pole on Route 208 northbound, just south of the Goffle Road exit ramp, on Wednesday afternoon, 04/25. The victim was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center with non life threatening injuries. A flatbed tow truck removed the heavily damaged vehicle from the roadway. PSE&G’s Electric Division was notified about the damaged utility pole. Traffic on Route 208 northbound was backed up for miles due to the crash.
Ho Ho Kus NJ, An as yet to be located tractor trailer traveling northbound on North Franklin Turnpike through Ho-Ho-Kus was apparently responsible for damaging a traffic control signal at the intersection of Hollywood Avenue and North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus on Wednesday morning, 04/25. A Ho-Ho-Kus PD uniformed patrol officer was observed assisting northbound traffic at the busy intersection while awaiting the arrival of a repair crew from the Bergen County Road Department. Southbound traffic on North Franklin Turnpike from the Waldwick area was diverted prior to the accident site.
Glen Rock NJ, A Glen Rock resident has filed suit against the borough for denying a records request, and in so doing, has brought to the forefront the continuing legal debate about whether elected officials’ social media accounts constitute a government property to New Jersey Superior Court.
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/glen-rock/2018/04/19/glen-rock-nj-officials-facebook-pages-public-documents-says-suit/528481002/
Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer had this is say on his Facebook pages :
April 21 at 9:05pm ·
I cannot comment on ongoing litigation but I want to make it clear that when OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests are made, elected officials play NO part in whether or not they are granted. As the Borough Clerk is in possession of those records that fall under the rules, it is the Borough Clerk who makes such decisions, at times with the help of the Borough Attorney.
There are times where there are questions as to what constitutes a government record and unfortunately I cannot comment any further.
You can find lots of info about OPRA here:
*Part 2 on OPRA requests*
When a Borough Clerk is not in possession of an item that is requested, it is not possible for the clerk to provide that record. That does not inherently imply that the record is not subject to OPRA but, for example, if governing body members have Facebook pages on their personal email accounts, it is not possible for a Borough Clerk to access them and provide information.
While I cannot talk in detail about the current lawsuit regarding OPRA and Facebook accounts, our Borough Clerk has no access to our accounts and the heart of the issue is whether or not she should.
In short, are the unseen parts of governing body members’ Facebook pages, such as admin settings, block lists, etc, government records? No court has ever made a determination to date on this and the information has never been provided based on my own informal conversations with other municipalities.
In Part 3, I will share an email that I received from the NJ Government Records Council last October.
*Part 3 on OPRA requests*
I believe in full transparency and open access to all records as appropriate. There is a line that protects the privacy of governing body members though and there are times when that line is not clear.
After an OPRA request was received for information relating to a Facebook page last year, I wrote to the state authority on such matters, the NJ Government Records Council (https://www.state.nj.us/grc/). As this is uncharted territory, I wanted to gather all of the facts.
Here is the response to my query and the last paragraph responds to my specific question:
Thank you for contacting the NJ Government Records Council (“GRC”). The information provided by the GRC is guidance and does not constitute legal advice or a final decision of the GRC regarding whether a particular record is exempt from disclosure or not since the provisions of the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) are applied to the specific facts of the request and/or complaint. The GRC cannot tell you exactly how to respond to an official OPRA records request because your response must depend on the specific facts of the records request.
Generally, OPRA provides that “. . . government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination . . . with certain exceptions . . .” N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. There are 25 specific exemptions from disclosure included in OPRA.
Additionally, OPRA defines a government record as a record “made, maintained or kept on file . . . or that has been received in the course of . . . official business . . .” N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1. Also, OPRA requires a custodian to grant or deny access as soon as possible but no later than seven (7) business days from receipt of the request. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i). OPRA further requires that custodians inform requestors of the lawful basis for any denial of government records. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-6.
Regarding your inquiry, the GRC has no prior decisions regarding social media and OPRA. Additionally, the current state of the law doesn’t specifically contemplate the disclosability of social media posts. It’s an awfully tricky situation given the interactive nature of social media. At some point, these types of issues will need to be decided either through new legislation, court decisions or Council adjudications.
River Edge NJ, right from the Bergen County Historical Society:
April 16th, 1780. Ho-Ho-Kus would never be the same…
On Saturday the 15th inst. a detachment of cavalry, consisting of two Captains, six Subalterns, and about one hundred and twenty horse, were ordered from Staten-Island on an excursion in the Jersies. They embarked by four o’clock in the afternoon, and the whole were at Bird’s-Point by eight o’clock in the evening, when Capt. Diemar pursued his march to Dumeres’s, where he arrived without opposition by twelve o’clock that night, joining Major Du Buys, who with three hundred foot had crossed the North-River at Fort Lee. The troops marched on as quick as the badness of the roads would permit, arrived at New Bridge about half past two, where one shot was fired by the enemy; one continental officer and three militia were taken, the former by the Hessians, and the latter by Lieut. Col. Buskirk, who served as a volunteer on the expedition. Major Du Buys left one Captain and fifty foot at the Bridge, to secure the return of his Majesty’s troops on that road, the remainder marched on towards Paramus, but the day appearing, and the rebels having one hundred and fifty continentals at the town, and a steep hill at a mile distance in their rear, the surprize could not be effected, on account of the fatiguing march which the foot underwent, it was therefore judged necessary that the cavalry should lead the van, when they pushed on, and finding a rebel picket of about thirty foot, commanded by an officer, on the right hand side of Paramus, in a field, surrounded with a fence, who fired several shot without effect, and then took to their heels, when Captain Deimar intercepted them: Fourteen were killed on the spot, and the officer retired with the remainder to a house, where he and several more were killed and the rest taken in arms. Some deserters came to join the party, and the commanding officer of the cavalry getting intelligence that the rebels had taken possession of a stone-house, he ordered them to dismount, surround, and storm it, which they did sword in hand. The house where they entered was fired at, but advancing slowly on the floor, and crying out that no quarters would be given, unless they surrendered instantly, which they did; and Major Boyl, of the 3rd Pennsylvania regiment, three subalterns, and about 6 privates were taken at the house. The rebel major being wounded through the breast, and unable to be transported, Captain Diemar left him upon parole. The loss of his Majesty’s troops were some men wounded before the house, Capt. Diemar’s horse was shot through the body; after they had surrendered a shot was fired from the top of the house, which dangerously wounded one of the Queen’s Rangers; the house was then set on fire, and had it not been for the humanity of Captain Diemar all the prisoners would have been put to death. The cavalry took one Major, one Capt. three Subalterns, and fifty-two privates, and being rejoined by Major DuBuy at Paramus, the rebels having collected some hundred militia on the hill near the town, it was not thought expedient to attack them: Having compleatly succeeded in the enterprize, and two officers and about forty rebels killed, the whole detachment returned in as regular an order as any military manoeuvre can admit. The rebels pursued the King’s troops towards the English Neighbourhood, but lost many men by the spirited behaviour of the Hessians and the detachment of Colonel Robinson’s corps. Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of the detachment of cavalry, who behaved with great gallantry. They returned the 16th by eight o’clock in the evening, to their quarters at Staten-Island, without a single man or horse being taken by the enemy, after a continued march of more than eighty miles without having their horses fed. Such is the exertion of British soldiers who fight in a just cause and for the rights of the best of Sovereigns, against the dishonourable banditti who formerly were too happy and fell into temptation. Source: The Royal American Gazette (New York,) April 20, 1780.
Wyckoff NJ, Wyckoff Police Chief David V. Murphy reported that the police department received a report at approximately 12:41pm, from the Bergen County Mental Health Screening Agency (262-HELP). They requested an officer respond to a home on Martom Road with them to assist in a mental health screening of an adult male. Officers arrived on location and attempted to make contact with the male. The male came to the door and made several concerning comments and then barricaded himself in the home.
Wyckoff officers took a tactical position and contacted the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team for a response. The SWAT Team is under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo, Chief of Detectives, Robert Anzilotti and Bergen County Sheriff, Michael Saudino. With the assistance of the SWAT Team and negotiators, the adult male exited the home and was safely taken into custody at approximately 3:17pm. He was evaluated on scene and then transported to a local medical facility to receive treatment. Chief Murphy is grateful for the successful and safe conclusion, and the cooperation and patience of all residents in the immediate area. Chief Murphy would like to thank the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, Sheriff’s Department and all of the regional team members that responded.
Wyckoff NJ, Wyckoff Police Chief David V. Murphy reported that the police department received a report from Eastern Christian Middle School staff on Wednesday, April 18th at approximately 4:41pm. The staff reported that two 13 year old female students were missing and were last observed walking off of school property at approximately 3:10pm. Detectives and Officers of the department immediately gathered all pertinent information and began their investigation. Early on, information was developed that revealed this was a planned departure by the girls and that they were planning to “run away”.
With this in mind, officers continued to pursue the investigation and enlisted the assistance of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office – Special Victim’s Unit, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo and Chief of Detectives, Robert Anzilotti. Both agencies continued to work throughout the night aggressively pursuing all leads and interviewing numerous persons. At approximately 3:50am, both females were found safe and unharmed by investigating officers and turned over to the care of their parents. It was confirmed that they had planned to run away and no other persons were involved. We would like to remind everyone that both girls are minors. As such, we ask for privacy for the girls and their families during this time. Chief Murphy would like to thank the Bergen County Prosecutors Office as well as all of the local police departments that assisted.
Wyckoff NJ, Wyckoff Police Department, Advisory Police Incident Information Thursday April 19th, 2018 :: 02:01 p.m. EDT .The Wyckoff Police Department and the Bergen County Swat Team are currently involved in an incident on Martom Road near VanHouten Avenue. Residents in the immediate area are asked to remain in your homes away from windows until an all clear message is sent. This message only pertains to residents in the immediate area. Please do not contact the main police number for information.
(pictures were taken yesterday April 17 and today April 18, 2018)
April 19,2018
Derek Michalski
Upper Saddle River NJ, Three days in a row muddy waters of Pleasant Brook in Upper Saddle River and Westearly Branch Of Saddle River in the town of Saddle River continued filling various ponds between Mahwah, Upper and Saddle River with heavy mud. This topic dominated also for the third day local discussions about the potential impact of this unprecedented continuous silt/dust/mud pollution by Apple Ridge massive construction site.
The presence of heavy mud floating thorough Upper and Saddle River aquatic system in opinion of many is another piece of evidence of continuous (since December 2017) mud pollution from the site that was ordered by NJDEP to undergo remediation of arsenic and lead within the top soil rata. Consequently on January 13, 2018 Stop Work Order was issued on 100 plus acres of the so called by GreenUSR members “Arsenic Field”.
In the past the public was informed that the sediment within the stream channel was tested but nobody provided any info whether the test occurred before or after the rain. In the light of over 4 month long pollution period the author of this post publicly demands to test all three ponds within 5 mile radius of the contaminated site. Logically the tests should be done two days ago but today (April 18) the waters are still full of mud and who knows if arsenic and lead that is being the subject of remediation on the site is not present in the heavy mud imported from the site to our GreenUSR aquatic ecosystem.
If Upper and Saddle River residents want to preserve the beauty of this neighborhood and to STOP continually deteriorating values of our homes this call for action shouldn’t be ignored by our local leaders. It’s too late to stop the destruction of 1000 trees, it’s too late to stop the construction site but on the Eve of 48th Earth Day Celebration it’s not to late to test the muddy waters and to dispel the fear and suspicion in our GreenUSR communities. Please show us your leadership. Happy Earth Day GreenUSR! ?
River Edge NJ, The Bergen County Historical Society celebrates:
Under the Shad Moon, Chwame Gischuch, the Lenape New Year, from 1-5 pm. Sunday, April 22, 2018 Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge 07661.
1:30 pm: Dr. Meta Janowitz who will speak on Native American food ways, as they relate to the Dutch. She will introduce ceramic forms that were used by the Dutch and traded with the Native Americans. Janowitz is an archaeologist who worked on the African Burial Ground Project in lower Manhattan**.
2:30 pm: Primitive Technologist Steve Adams will give a talk on The Material Culture of Prehistory. Adams will talk on the use of stone tools; their manufacture (flintknapping), forms for different functions, re-usage/resharpening sequences, the ‘waste flake’ pile of expedient tools and the changing stone tool forms through time.
He will discuss the working of plant fiber; its manufacture, the different native species used, the impressively large range of purposes and functions it served, its ‘invisible’ nature as an organic medium which does not preserve well as an artifact, its foundational value as having ‘tied’ together the prehistoric world, etc. the selection of local plants would also anchor it in the location and the event. His talk will move outside to demonstrate flintknapping.
This talk will offer an informed glimpse into the ‘hardware’ of prehistoric peoples – not just those of the New Bridge region, but internationally – this is part of every person’s ancient lineage.
Selections from the BCHS Native American collections are on exhibit. Visit the outkitchen where reenactors will be cooking over a fire. The event includes activities for children.
** The African Burial Ground project began in 1991. During excavation work for a new federal office building workers discovered the skeletal remains of the first of more than 400 men, women and children.
Historic New Bridge Landing: American Revolutionary War Battleground including 3 Jersey-Dutch Sandstone Houses, Exhibits of BCHS collections, Tavern, Gift shop, Outkitchen & Barn. (The barn closed in cold weather) $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free. (Become a member and support our efforts!, $20 individual / $30 household).
HNBL, 1201 Main St., River Edge, NJ. Site map below.
All 3 sandstone houses, including the Steuben House, a state historic site, are connected by an ADA compliant gravel walking path. Weather permitting the Westervelt-Thomas Barn will be open. Free parking is available or take a train on the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus via NJ Transit to the “New Bridge Landing” train stop. Walk one block north & east. By car, HNBL is only 7 miles from the GWB.
Refreshments in the 18th century tavern (additional cost)
Wyckoff NJ, Special Announcement–missing students–information requested. Two middle school students, Lia Callahan and Daniella Fernino, were last seen walking off the middle school campus at 3:15pm. The school administration, staff, and the girls’ families have been working with Wyckoff police in the search effort. We have found evidence that this was a planned departure from school. If you know any information about the students, please call Wyckoff police at 201-891-2121. We appreciate your prayers for the girls and their families at this time.
Lodi NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a former New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clerk pleaded guilty today to operating a scheme in which he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in payments in return for allowing over 200 people to obtain permits and licenses without passing required exams.
Rodman Lora, 39, of Ridgewood, N.Y., a former clerk at the Lodi MVC Agency, pleaded guilty today to charges of conspiracy (2nd degree), computer criminal activity (2nd degree), and tampering with public records (3rd degree) before Superior Court Judge James J. Guida in Bergen County. The state will recommend that Lora be sentenced to seven years in state prison, including two years and four months of parole ineligibility. He must forfeit his pension and will be permanently barred from public employment. Lora was charged in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation revealed that Lora altered MVC driver records for over 200 people between 2014 and 2016, enabling them to obtain various permits and licenses without having passed the mandatory written and/or driving exams, including commercial driver’s licenses with school bus and HazMat endorsements. In return, he received cash payments averaging over $700 per license or permit.
The following two men were indicted with Lora and pleaded guilty today before Judge Guida to tampering with public records (3rd degree):
Luis Tiburcio, 46, of Passaic, N.J., was paid to act as a “runner” for Lora and bring him customers in the illegal scheme. The state will recommend that he be sentenced to three years in state prison.
Masood Ahmadi, 55, of Lake Hiawatha, N.J., is the owner of Ideal Transportation, a school bus company operating in northern New Jersey. He sent people seeking commercial driver’s licenses to Lora to obtain licenses through the scheme, including relatives and persons seeking employment with his company. The state will recommend that he be sentenced to probation.
Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Keating prosecuted the defendants and took the guilty pleas for the Division of Criminal Justice. Sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for June 15.
“When motor vehicle clerks engage in fraud involving driver’s credentials, public safety is compromised,” said Attorney General Grewal. “It is particularly alarming that school bus drivers were being licensed illegally. My office will aggressively prosecute the illegal brokering and sale of driver’s licenses.”
“We will continue to work with the MVC to protect the public by identifying and charging those who engage in this type of fraud,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Through this far-reaching investigation, we charged 70 people, including numerous customers of this illicit scheme.”
“The MVC does not tolerate any type of criminal activity whatsoever, either from customers or employees,” said Acting MVC Chair and Chief Administrator Sue Fulton. “This case is a prime example of our efforts to weed out fraud and abuse, enhancing security throughout the entire organization. We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure the quality and integrity of our motor vehicle services, and the safety of New Jersey drivers.”
Nine defendants were indicted with Lora, including the two who pleaded guilty today and seven others. Two previously pleaded guilty to tampering with public records and face sentences of probation: Carlos Vicuna, 37, of Elizabeth, N.J., was a “runner” for the scheme, and Jose Lora, 45, of Newark, N.J., Lora’s brother, received a commercial driver’s license without passing the written exam. Charges are pending against one defendant and four others were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.
Beyond the indictment charging those 10 defendants, the investigation led to charges against 60 other customers and runners, bringing the total defendants to 70. Eight of those 60 pleaded guilty to tampering with public records and face probation, and 52 were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.
Deputy Attorney General Christopher Keating presented the indictment to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Cecil Boone, Sgt. Kelly Howard, Detective Jessica Marcacci and Analyst Terri Drumm, under the supervision of Sgt. Andrea Salvatini, Lt. Bill Newsome, Deputy Bureau Chief Andrew Johns, Deputy Bureau Chief Jacqueline Smith, and Division of Criminal Justice Deputy Director Jill Mayer.
The Motor Vehicle Commission uncovered the alleged scheme involving Lora and referred the case to the Division of Criminal Justice after an initial internal investigation and audit. Attorney General Grewal thanked the Motor Vehicle Commission’s Division of Security, Investigations & Internal Audit for its referral and valuable assistance. He also thanked the following agencies that assisted in the investigation: Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey Department of Education, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, New Jersey Department of Treasury-Division of Payroll, Lodi Police Department, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Waldwick NJ, Waldwick Fire Department and Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department personnel extinguished a vehicle fire on Route 17 northbound near Manhattan Avenue in Waldwick on Monday morning, 04/16. Northbound traffic on Route 17 was backed up for miles due to the closure of multiple travel lanes while firefighters worked. Waldwick PD and Ho-Ho-Kus PD officers were also on the scene. The charred vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
