CARDINALE: WITHHOLD BOXER NOMINATION FOR COMPTROLLER--Special Prosecutor Must Be Named To Investigate And Report Publicly On Corzine Administration’s Handling Of Riccio Matter— 

            Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R-Bergen), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee today called on Committee Chairman John Adler to delay the Committee’s consideration of Matthew Boxer’s nomination to be State Comptroller, until a special prosecutor is appointed to investigate accusations surrounding Mr. Riccio’s acceptance of monetary gifts from Governor Jon Corzine.

            “I don’t like the idea of political operatives snooping through private tax records in the dead of night for political purposes,” Cardinale said. “I like even less the idea that the administration, after forcing Mr. Riccio to resign his state job, turned around and helped him get another position. It may rise to illegal conduct.”

            Senator Cardinale also wants the special prosecutor to review: The actions of senior staff, including Mr. Boxer, who are alleged to have offered Mr. Riccio a position at the Turnpike Authority in exchange for his resignation from a position he held at the Department of Human Services; What tax records Mr. Riccio accessed, Payments made to Mr. Riccio by the Governor and his personal business manager, Nancy Dunlap and; Whether or not any personnel actions were initiated against Mr. Riccio for his alleged improper accessing of individual tax returns and what the final outcome of those actions was.

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            Mr. Boxer is now the Director of the Authorities Unit in the Governor’s Office. He has not formally been nominated by Governor Jon Corzine; however, the Governor has made it clear to Committee members his intention to do so.

            “The only way to clear up the questions surrounding the Governor’s conduct and that of his senior staff is by appointing an independent prosecutor with subpoena power. 

Mr. Riccio stated that he would welcome an investigation.  If nothing improper occurred then the Governor should have nothing whatsoever to fear,” Cardinale concluded.

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Senator John Adler

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Chairman

1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Dear Senator Adler:

I write to urge that you withhold from the Committee agenda any consideration of Matthew Boxer for the position of State Comptroller until a special prosecutor is appointed to investigate the accusations surrounding the Corzine Administration’s relation with Rocco Riccio. Mr. Boxer is currently the Director of the Authorities Unit in the governor’s office.

According to media reports Mr. Riccio improperly accessed private tax records for political purposes while employed by the Department of Human Services.  It is of particular concern to me that Mr. Boxer, Governor Corzine’s choice to become State Comptroller, participated in at least one meeting with Mr. Riccio and other members of the governor’s senior staff to offer Mr. Riccio a job at the Turnpike Authority in exchange for agreeing to their demand that he resign from his previous position. 

I think we can all agree that every step must be taken to stop the erosion of public confidence in government.  Appointing a special prosecutor to look into this matter would be a step in that direction.

Sincerely,

Senator Gerald Cardinale