Former Jersey City BOE pres., ex-Bayonne assemblyman indicted for allegedly taking bribes
Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas and ex-Bayonne Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell are among four public officials that have been indicted today for allegedly taking cash bribes, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced.
Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas and former Bayonne Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell. Photos courtesy of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The four defendants, which also include former Morris County Freeholder John Cesaro and ex-Mt. Arlington Councilman John Windish, were initially charged by complaint-summons in December 2019.
Jersey City Ward B council candidate Joel Brooks. Photo courtesy of the Brooks campaign.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The Jersey City Council has tremendous power to shape our city and impact our communities. From taxes, to housing and tenants rights, to public safety, public health and the city budget – the city council has a huge role,” Brooks told HCV.
“Right now, the majority of the city council accepts donations from real estate developers, police unions and corporate landlords who have the City government working for them, not tenants and working class residents of Jersey City. I will never take their money. I will never work for them. I will always stand with Ward B Jersey City residents.”
Hudson County View
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Gilmore filed a D-1 form with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) on Tuesday, according to their online database.
Michael Griffin, one of five candidates who was bested by Robinson in 2017, will serve as the chair of Gilmore’s campaign.
“The timing is not traditional, but everything with me is about honor and legacy and given that it’s Black History Month … we decided to announce in February,” Gilmore told HCV over the phone.
“Moving the conversation from affordable housing to affordable home ownership is a big priority. I’d like to create a program where houses and properties can go towards the community and recreation will be paramount to anything. I’m just of the opinion that there isn’t enough for recreation and youth enrichment.”
Cunningham, Sacco have $76k, $95k, cash on hand for state Senate re-election bids
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Sacco, also the North Bergen mayor, is currently sitting on about $95,228 in campaign cash for his role as a state legislator, according to a January 10th filing with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC).
He received $1,000 contributions from the labor groups Communications Workers of America (CWA) PAC, IBEW Local 164, UA Plumbers Local 24, and Steamfitters Local 475 PAC, as well as high-powered law firm DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick, & Cole, respectively.
Ed Farmer, a former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) who now runs the consulting firm Millenium Strategies, also chipped in $1,000 on October 22nd, the ELEC filing shows.