Testa wants N.J. to be tougher on corrupt politicians

Following the indictment of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez on charges of corruption last week, State Sen. Michael Testa, Jr.  (R-Vineland) is re-upping legislation that would combat bribery and corruption throughout the state.

“Corruption in New Jersey is not relegated to Senator Menendez.  Many have been content to look the other way as dirty money changed hands in places like Hudson and Newark for kickbacks and favors,” said Testa. “While these bribes and shady development deals have consistently flown under the radar, this administration has failed to take aggressive action to intervene where obvious corruption exists. My legislation seeks to end the persistent culture of corruption.”

The renewed focus on this legislation indicates that Republicans might sense a possible weakness in the state Democratic party that goes beyond Menendez.

Indeed, the original legislation, proposed in June, brought attention to officials in Newark – including the former deputy mayor, a former city councilman, and a former director of the Newark Housing Authority – who have been accused of accepting bribes from property developers and stealing money from the city.

Those charges underscore some of the explosive allegations in Menendez’s indictment: Elected officials abusing their office to enrich themselves.

Testa – who is also the Cumberland County GOP Chairman – is largely credited with strengthening the party’s fortunes in South Jersey and is seen as a rising star, with ambition for higher office.

It is not insignificant that he is prioritizing anti-corruption: if he seeks a House seat or runs statewide, he could launch as a reform-minded candidate, dedicated to ameliorating New Jersey’s politics.

Testa’s proposed legislation (S-4075) would give the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) oversight authority over local development offices, where corruption has been identified.

Additionally, the legislation would mandate the EDA to take control of an office, if three or more officials have been charged with corruption. The legislation would be applied retroactively to criminal convictions, indictments, and charges that occurred three years prior to enactment.

“If the Executive Branch refuses to reign in this culture of obvious corruption, then the Legislature must pass this long overdue bill,” Testa concluded.

Beyond Testa, Republicans more broadly seem to sense that there is a growing mood in New Jersey to root out a seemingly endemic culture of corruption.  State Sen. Edward Durr (R-Logan) announced today that he intends to introduce legislation that would enact stiffer penalties, including minimum prison sentences, for officials convicted on bribery charges.

“If legislators are serious about rooting out corruption from public offices, we need to establish stricter penalties,” said Durr.  Elected officials who are convicted of bribery need more than a slap on the wrist to deter this despicable behavior. Taxpayers need to know that public officials will be held accountable if they are convicted of a crime.”

Durr said his bill would require anyone convicted of accepting a bribe to serve a five-year mandatory prison sentence.

He would like to see anyone who is convicted of bribery serve a mandatory imprisonment sentence, before being eligible for parole.

Under current law, bribery charges are either second- or third-degree offenses. A bribe that is valued at $200 or less is considered a third-degree offense, while all other bribes are considered second-degree offenses.

For a third-degree offense, Durr wants to see a mandatory three-year incarceration before parole eligibility; for a second-degree offense, he wants a mandatory five-year sentence.

“The culture of corruption that has been allowed to persist in New Jersey must come to an end,” Durr said. “If you accept a bribe, this bill will make sure you do the time.”