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View Comments A state superior court judge dismissed a bribery charge against ex-assemblyman Jason O’Donnell on Thursday, ruling that New Jersey cannot charge O’Donnell under its bribery statute because he was not a public official at the time of the alleged bribe. The decision by Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez puts a dent in one of New Jersey’s most high-profile public corruption stings in years, one that led to charges against O’Donnell, then-sitting Jersey City school board president Sudhan Thomas and three others. Galis-Menendez, based in Hudson County, dismissed New Jersey’s argument that O Donnell s alleged conduct was unambiguously a violation of New Jersey s anti-bribery law. Prosecutors claim O’Donnell, during his 2018 Bayonne mayoral campaign, accepted $10,000 from a tax attorney in exchange for promising he would hire the attorney once elected. ....
By John Heinis/Hudson County View “This court does not believe that the state has presented some evidence to the grand jury that the defendant received a benefit as a consideration for the performance of his official duties,” Galis-Menendez said prior to her decision during a Zoom hearing today. O’Donnell’s attorney in the matter, Leo Hurley, had argued that his client’s case was identical to that of former Jersey City Assemblyman Lou Manzo, who was arrested in 2009’s infamous operation Bid Rig for allegedly receiving $27,500 in bribes for his failed run for mayor. However, U.S. District Court Judge Jose Linares dismissed Manzo’s case since he was not an elected official at the time, only a candidate for office. ....
The state alleges he took $10,000 and promised to hire the guy who gave it to him if he won election. Was that illegal? Updated Apr 29, 2021; Posted Apr 28, 2021 Jason O Donnell during his Bayonne mayoral contest in 2018. His attorneys are challenging bribery charges against him.Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal Facebook Share A former Democratic legislator and failed mayoral candidate charged in a big pay-to-play undercover sting operation by the state is seeking a dismissal of the charges against him, arguing he could not be charged with bribery because he was not a public official when he was targeted. Jason O’Donnell, who was running for mayor in Bayonne when he allegedly was offered a $10,000 cash payment by a Morristown tax attorney then cooperating with prosecutors, argued in new court filings that the case against him is unconstitutional. ....
'It's probably the worst day of my life.' Law partner of informant in N.J. corruption sting pleads guilty. nj.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nj.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New details emerge in wide-ranging N.J. corruption case after release of files prosecutors tried to keep secret nj.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nj.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.