May 09 2008
FBI 1 Corrupt NJ Mayor 18 to 24
Jeff Whelan of The Star-Ledger reported “Passaic Mayor pleads guilty to Corruption“.
Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera pleaded guilty this morning to federal corruption charges.
Rivera, 61, among 11 public officials caught in a statewide FBI sting last year, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion after being accused of accepting $5,000 in cash from an insurance brokerage firm in exchange for his help getting contracts. The firm turned out to be a front for the FBI.
He was indicted earlier this year by a federal grand on bribery and extortion charges. By pleading guilty to the extortion charge, Rivera faces 18 to 24 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, according to his lawyer, Henry Klingeman.
This is a good first step in cleaning up the political cesspool that still remains intact within our local government. Justice needs to be served swiftly to anyone who takes advantage of an appointed position for their own dishonest and immoral personal gains. More results like this are need to finish the job and clean up New Jerseys political landscape.
Corruption is a tradition in Passaic. Remember Mayor Lipari?
Politicians and cronies get fat and residents get screwed.
Glad to see this crook do the perp walk.
Yrys last blog post..1
Its good to hear when things like this happen. I hate to hear of corruption and it makes me happy when people are caught. I hope this sends a message.