October 10, 2007 - 10:09pm
News

Ex-Atlantic GOP official arrested

Frank Barbera, the former Treasurer of the Atlantic County Republican Party and a political ally of County Executive Dennis Levinson, was arrested by FBI agents this week on bribery charges, a month after a suicide attempt. He was found in his car with what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his chest.

Barbera is accused of offering a $5,000 bribe to Craig Callaway in 2005, while Callaway was serving as the Atlantic City Council President. Callaway is now serving a 40-month sentence following his own bribery conviction.

The arrest of the GOP official came on the same day that Atlantic City Mayor Robert Levy resigned amidst allegations that he lied about his military service. He disappeared for two week; his attorney said he was at a substance abuse and mental health treatment center.
Levinson faces a tough battle for re-election to a third term next month against Democrat James McGettigan, the Atlantic County Sheriff.

The U.S. Attorney's office issued three press releases today, including announcements that former Democratic Assemblyman Mims Hackett was indicted, and the sentencing of a former Paterson city official, but nothing regarding Barbera, the Chairman of the Atlantic County Economic Development Advisory Commission.

EDITOR can be reached via email at editor@politicsnj.com.

Comments

SHOCKING


Republican gets arrested, no media.

Democrats get indicted, press releases.

No, Christie's office is not at all being used for partisan purposes.

10/11/07 6:57 am

Where's Christie's Press Conference?


I'm with FormerlyAnonymous on this one.

Christie, who has widely-publicized news conferences when Democrats are arrested, didn't publicize the Barbera arrest at all, and as mentioned in the above article, didn't even put out a press release.

Huntsu over at Blue Jersey asks: "Was Christie's media guy out sick for the day? Maybe his e-mail was down and the phones broken so they couldn't send out a press release?"

http://www.bluejersey.net/showDiary.do;jsessionid=8598D1862F8B6E62D4D2E5...

10/11/07 9:14 am

Don't give him credit


Usually the press conference following arrests takes a couple of days?.

Christie investigated and arrested another republican, that has merit enough IMO, but of course dems would never praise him for doing his job, no matter what side of the ticket the accused is on. No wonder NJ polls hate him, he doesn't play ball with party bosses and can't be bought, and he's a lawyer!

pretty rare breed if not obsolete.

10/11/07 11:51 am