Corruption arrests in NJ spark anger

By: Phil Gregory
email hidden; JavaScript is required

The widescale corruption arrests in New Jersey last week have sparked outrage and responses on many fronts. Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. moved Wednesday to strip two Assemblymen arrested last week, including Lumberton's Daniel Van Pelt, of their legislative salary and benefits. And up in Jersey City, about a hundred people packed Council chambers and demanded the resignation of Council President Mariano Vega.

Listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Vega is accused of accepting $30,000 dollars from a government informant posing as a developer seeking approval for a building project. At the council meeting Vega said he is not guilty of the allegation and does not intend to resign his council position. After several residents urged him to quit, the council voted 7-to-1 to defeat a no-confidence resolution requesting Vega's resignation. Councilman Steven Fulop was the only one to vote for it.

Fulop: I think it speaks volumes to the culture in Jersey City as it relates to the good old boys network and I think that sadly this is just the beginning of the process as far as casting some sunshine on how these people operate.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy said Vega is presumed innocent until convicted of a crime and says he can not suspend him.