Charles Kushner

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ...

Turn up the heat on ethics reform

Asbury Park Press, Editorial, September 29, 2006

The executive order signed by Gov. Corzine this week to reform the state's independent authorities was welcome news. Authorities have long been fertile ground for political patronage, pay-to-play abuses and fiscal waste. Corzine aptly described them as an "invisible government" - one that spends billions of dollars each year with minimal oversight.

Corzine's executive order, which applies to more than 50 authorities, including the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, requires authorities to establish open procedures for awarding public contracts, provide more frequent public reports to disclose their activities and coordinate with the state Office of Economic Growth.

Corzine should follow up this important initiative by pressuring the state Democratic leadership to heed Republicans' call this week for a special voting session on ethics reform. While progress has been made in this state, much more work needs to be done. The short list includes: comprehensive pay-to-play reform, a ban on dual office-holding, mandatory jail time and loss of pensions for corrupt public officials, elimination of pension padding and tacking, tightening of anti-nepotism laws, extending the Open Public Records Act to include the legislative branch, a ban on acceptance of gifts by lawmakers and the creation of an independent ethics commission to oversee officials at all levels of government.

The Star-Ledger reported yesterday that the Governor Jon Corzine's administration is considering a proposal from jailed developer/McGreevey fundraiser/video producer Charles Kushner and embattled ex-U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli to operate a for-profit medical school in New Jersey; today the same newspaper broke the story that Kushner is being moved from a federal prison in Alabama to a halfway house in New Jersey after serving just half of his sentence. One might think that a story that involves Kushner and Torricelli gives New Jersey Republicans a great opportunity to take a shot at their rivals -- yet by 5 PM today there has been no Republican comment.

Corzine is in a bad spot. One of his aides complained that the medical school plan began when James E. McGreevey was Governor and progressed under Richard Codey's tenure in office; Codey declined to make a final decision, leaving it up to Corzine -- who was criticized by Republicans last year for his interest in purchasing the New Jersey Nets with Kushner in a deal brokered by the sometimes toxic Torricelli. If Corzine approves plan, which may not necessarily be bad public policy, the headlines of his doing favors for Kushner and Torricelli may be unavoidable.

DEMS CALL ON GOP TO RETURN KUSHNER BUSINESS PARTNER CONTRIBUTION

GOP candidates for Middletown Township Committee accepted a $600 contribution from the principal of a company formerly owned by Charles Kushner. Kushner was notorious for using his numerous business entities and business partners to funnel money into campaigns.

PAQUETTE TO BENSON: RETURN THE TAINTED MONEY
Chief Takes Stand Against Convicted Felon's Contributions

14th District Assembly candidate Mike Paquette today called on Dan Benson to return $2,500 in contributions he has received from companies once owned by convicted felon Charles Kushner.