Drunk driver who killed Hudson GOP leader a no-show in court

Update: Hansen was taken into custody in North Bergen and is on his way to the Hudson County courthouse to be sentenced by Judge Patrick Arre. 

A former Hudson County corrections officer who has admitted to killing two prominent Hudson County Republicans with his car more than two years ago failed to show up at his sentencing today.

Michael Hansen admitted he was drunk in an April 2017 hit-and-run that killed Hudson County Republican State Committeeman Russell Maffei and longtime Republican activist Marie Tauro.

Maffei, 57, the Jersey City Republican Municipal Chairman and a strong presence in New Jersey politics for more than 30 years, and was leaving the Coach House Diner in North Bergen with Tauro, 80, a leader of the Jersey City Tea Party Alliance who was preparing to run for State Assembly that year.

Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Old Tappan), Hudson County Republican Chairman Jose Arango, and former Bergen County Republican Chairman Guy Talarico attended today’s sentencing hearing.

Hansen’s attorney was present, but none of his family and friends were there.