DeCROCE HOPES JAMES VERDICT WILL FINALLY SPUR ACTION OF TOUGHER ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce expressed hope that former Newark Mayor and state Senator Sharpe James conviction today by a federal grand jury on corruption charges will finally prod Governor Corzine to fight for passage of tougher anti-corruption measures that have been languishing for more than a year.
“The conviction of Sharpe James demonstrates once again that the federal government will not sit idly by as elected officials betray the public trust and enrich themselves at the expense of the taxpayers,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “For that, U.S. Attorney Chris Christie deserves immense praise and gratitude. Time and again, he has shown that his office has zero tolerance for political corruption regardless of political party. But the achievements of federal law enforcement agencies just proves how dismal the anti-corruption battle has been on the state level.”

DeCroce noted that nearly two years after Assembly Republicans announced their support for a bipartisan package of bills (A Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey) in response to the growing list of federal indictments naming New Jersey officials, only a few have received token consideration, such as a weak ban on dual office holding. However, crucial components including the immediate suspension of indicted public officials without pay and mandatory forfeiture of pensions for convicted officials have seen no movement.

“It’s a sad day whenever a current or former state legislator is found guilty of corruption,” said DeCroce. “These string of events take on an even sadder complexion knowing not a single legislator who has been indicted or convicted has even been reprimanded by the Legislature’s own ethics committee and real reforms seem as elusive as ever.

 “How many more indictments and convictions does Corzine need to realize we have a real problem with corruption in New Jersey and it’s getting worse.” DeCroce added.

“There has been too much lip service from the front office and not enough action. If Governor Corzine is serious about reform, I have only two words for him: prove it!” 

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