April 29, 2008 - 8:50pm
Corzine 'commends' his Deputy Chief of Staff, a witness in federal prosecution of corrupt mayor
By Matt Friedman
Category: GovernorTags: Hold Me Accountable, David Delle Donna, Zero Tolerance, JON CORZINE, JAVIER INCLAN
WILSON SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD PROSECUTE INCLAN
The Governor’s office had kind words today for his Deputy Chief of Staff, Javier Inclan, who found himself enmeshed in the trial of Guttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna and his wife.
Delle Donna was convicted of extortion and tax fraud today for accepting and concealing payments from bar owner Luisa Medrano.
“The Governor commends Javier for his efforts to testify for the prosecution. He believes that Javier was doing the right thing in standing up and helping the government make its case,” said Corzine press secretary Lilo Stainton.
Inclan testified that he accepted two envelopes filled with campaign contributions from Gutenberg code official Robert "Yogi" Rogers Sr. and handed them to Delle Donna.
At the time, Inclan was Delle Donna’s campaign treasurer, and testified that he thought the envelopes were filled with cash. Rogers had testified that, on two occasions, he handed envelopes stuffed with $5,000 to Inclan to give to Delle Donna.
“Inclan shouldn't just be fired, he should be prosecuted by the Attorney General. If admitting you delivered a bag of payola doesn't get you fired or prosecuted, then what will? Jon Corzine doesn't realize that every time he makes promises that he consistently breaks, be it transparency, accountability, or zero tolerance, he loses public confidence and also the respect of the Democrats in the legislature," said GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson. “At this point, legislative Democrats neither fear, respect nor like him and the public doesn't trust him. No one has ever squandered as much political capital in such a short time.”
Last week, Delle Donna denied that he ever accepted envelopes from Inclan.
“What we’re hearing now, this sounds a lot like the complaints of a convicted felon who’s trying to blame someone else for their troubles,” said Stainton.
Stainton did not say whether Inclan’s role in the scandal would cost him his job.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the status of someone’s job,” she said.
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Only the Gov. of New Jersey would be so proud of
someone as crooked as the person he is accusing.
Zero Tolerance for What?
So a guy who takes an envelope of cash is working for Corzine. Some role model.
Corzine is politically tone deaf
Governor Corzine is politically tone deaf. No doubt about it.
I don't know what kind of agreement Mr. Inclan struck with the prosecutors so I won't speak to the call for his prosecution. But I do think it is outrageous that our Governor keeps a Deputy on staff who is a certified bagman.
This situation makes a mockery of New Jersey state government and the Governor himself. If Leno or Letterman ever got wind of it this would be grist for the late night jokester mill.
Corzine has some fine progressive tendencies and good policy instincts. But he coddles the political Bosses and enables the culture of corruption.
On The Waterfront since 1954
???? I'm so confused
Why is Corzine sticking with this guy? Does she need the latino vote that badly. I hate to race the race issue but if he were African American....he would be under the bus
Only Corzine would be so damn stupid!
Only our completely out of touch governor would be so damn stupid as to have good words for a known bagman. Jon S. Corzine promised to eliminate the toxic mix of money and politics in Trenton. Then when something touches his staff he does nothing. Not only is Jonny boy delusional, he's a liar. Recall this idiot NOW.
If you'd like to know how go to www.recallcorzinenow.com
corz scratches his head
and wonders why his approval level keeps dropping. what an unbelievable disconnect. that goldman sachs made any money with this guy in charge is a miracle. unless ethics weren't part of that job description.
No Surprise
Of course Corzine would commend Inclan. Every corrupt politician needs a good BagMan.
This defies reason
Absolute lack of consequences. Great work.