News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: More details on Caddle

Monday, March 14, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: More details on Caddle

Mar 14, 2022

Presented by Anbaric Development Partners

Good Monday morning!

We're learning more and more about what prosecutors have been looking into regarding Sean Caddle, aside from the murder-for-hire case.

The Record yesterday published an article with new details, like a search warrant issued for Caddle in 2019, that sought information not only about the murder of Michael Galdieri but also dozens of super PACs, political parties, unions and corporations. The super PACs and dark money organizations were mostly ones I had written about several years ago. Those are the same organizations that I just reported the state was looking into at least as recently as September. Many of those organizations have ties to longtime former state Sen. Ray Lesniak.

Lesniak has dismissed this as no big deal. As I reported Friday, state investigators asked about $46,000 in payments Caddle's firm made to Lesniak's then-chief of staff, Tony Teixieira, who is now the top aide to the senate president. Lesniak told The Record that Caddle's payments to Teixeira were merely for campaign work. Nevermind that when I asked Teixeira about the payments, he didn't say that. He just declined to comment. The Record got Caddle on the record regarding this question, and he said Teixeira never worked for his firm. Interesting!

I've reported on dark money and super PACs for a long time. I've often felt that the stories didn't get the attention they deserved. We'll see what comes of them, but prosecutors apparently did pay attention.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 28

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Can you imagine, 20 years ago, someone seeking my endorsement for office?" — Ed Forchion, AKA "NJ Weedman"

ABOMINATION OF THE WEEKEND: MY CUPCAKE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — PR guy Anthony Campisi, Archer's Brian McGovern, NJDHS' Steve Shultz

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

CADDLE CASE CONTINUES — "FBI raided home of political operative for info on murder-for-hire and dark money, docs show," by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak Dustin Racioppi and Charles Stile: "Federal agents raided the home of North Jersey political operative Sean Caddle three years ago, seeking records for more than 50 groups — super PACs, political parties, unions and corporations — many of which pumped millions in unregulated cash into elections throughout the state. A search warrant served in January 2019 — which has not been previously reported — also sought any records linking Caddle to two men who federal authorities say carried out a murder-for-hire plot set in motion by Caddle in 2014, according to documents obtained by NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network New Jersey. The target of the murder plot, Michael Galdieri, was found stabbed to death in his Jersey City apartment, which was set on fire. Caddle pleaded guilty this January to federal charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and was released on home confinement with an ankle monitor while awaiting sentencing scheduled in June, a decision that former prosecutors said was unusual. Caddle's attorney said in the court hearing that his client is 'working, collaborating with the FBI in developing an important investigation.' That federal investigators are being assisted by a veteran operative who has intimate knowledge of the below-the-radar world of political campaign financing has set the tightknit world of New Jersey politics on edge. And details in the 2019 search warrant are likely to heighten the anxiety."

PRIMING THE PUMP — "Poll on self-service gas: Ask a stupid question," by The Star-Ledger's Paul Mulshine: "If you wanted to poll New Jerseyans on the issue, here is an accurate way of formulating the question: 'Would you prefer to have the option of self-service gas if you could get it at a lower price than full-service?' Now here's the question that was put to 1,044 New Jerseyans: 'Do you prefer to pump your own gas or have your gas pumped for you?' Given that choice, 73 percent of respondents said they'd prefer full-serve … One of the sponsors of the bill legalizing self-service said the best way to discern drivers' true feelings would be to give them a choice at the pump. 'Whatever the percentage who said they like to pump their own gas is, that will double or triple,' said state Sen. Declan O'Scanlon of Monmouth County."

—Moran:"State spending is up 41 percent since Murphy arrived. What happens when the music stops?"

—" Untraceable cash has infiltrated political campaigns from school boards to president"

—Murphy officially announces $641M opioid settlement for New Jersey

—"Sweeney's next chapter: Chat Box"

—" Wildstein: Some news about the New Jersey Globe"

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BIDEN TIME

HERE I AM. ROCK YOU LIKE A TAYFUN — "Selen wins," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowelack: "Tayfun Selen [Saturday] won the coveted endorsement of Morris County Republicans to run for Congress in CD-11. Selen, now a Morris County commissioner, beat Larry Casha, a long-time political activist, by 15 votes – 240 to 225. Selen is now the frontrunner to carry the GOP's banner against Democrat Mikie Sherrill this fall. 'We're going to win this election,' Selen told a crowd of party loyalists at GOP headquarters. He saluted his main opponent, Casha, and also the other four men who sought the congressional nod."

ISED OUT — " Kean wins Morris GOP line by 2-1 margin in runoff for NJ-7," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: " Tom Kean, Jr. has won the Republican organization line in Morris County, prevailing in a runoff election by a vote of 88 to 42 over John Henry Isemann in his bid for the GOP nomination for Congress in New Jersey's 7th district. The winner of the seven-candidate Republican primary will face two-term Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in a district that was redrawn for the 2022 midterm elections to be more Republican. Kean came within one percentage point of unseating Malinowski in 2020."

IT'S MORE OF A JOB FOR LEEROY JENKINS — " Jenkins gets Dem Party support to challenge Smith in NJ-4," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Matthew Jenkins, a small businessman from Colts Neck, will be the likely Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey's 4th district, where Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) is seeking re-election to a 42nd term. Jenkins won the organization line in Monmouth County on Saturday and Ocean County on Sunday without opposition. The 4th district is the most Republican in New Jersey and Democrats have little hope of flipping the seat."

—" From New Jersey to the Arctic: Rutgers grad serves as U.S. Navy officer"

—"Middlesex Republicans eye Pallone – If they can get through one another first "

—"NJ congressman is developing a plan to partially regulate crypto"

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LOCAL

ADDED PLATKIN: 'COUGH COUGH SHARPE JAMES' — "Disgraced ex-Paterson mayor charged anew after making forbidden bid for office," by The New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: "Former Paterson Mayor Jose 'Joey' Torres was charged Friday with criminal contempt for launching a new mayoral campaign despite a 2017 criminal conviction that barred him from seeking public office again. Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin announced the fourth-degree charge against Torres, 63, who said last month he would challenge Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh in this year's mayoral race. Torres, a Democrat, admitted in 2017 that, as mayor, he had ordered city employees to work on the city's dime at a private warehouse leased by his daughter and nephew. As part of his plea deal, he agreed never to hold a public job or elective office, or else he would face a criminal contempt charge … 'State law provides that any person convicted of a crime involving their public office will be forever barred from holding another public position in New Jersey,' Platkin said in a statement. 'To promote public trust and integrity in government, we must ensure that this law and the court orders issued to implement it are rigorously enforced.'"

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS — " Ocean County Republicans hold annual convention behind closed doors with police guard," by The Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: "A series of controversial amendments to the Ocean County Republican Party's bylaws were pulled from the agenda of its annual convention Thursday — which took place behind closed doors and under police guard. Former Ocean County GOP Chairman George R. Gilmore had argued that the planned amendments would have restricted dissent and established the organization's supremacy over municipal and other local Republican clubs in Ocean County … For the first time since at least the 1970s, the county GOP closed its annual gathering to reporters. When Gilmore arrived, he said he was surprised to find three Toms River police officers posted as guards inside the Days Hotel on Route 37 — where the convention was held — to keep out reporters and other unwelcome attendees. [George] Gilmore, who maintained an 'open door policy' with reporters when he was chairman from 1996 to 2019, said he intends to find out who is footing the bill for the officers: Toms River taxpayers or the Republican Party? [Jack] Kelly said the decision to close the convention this year was made by Frank B. Holman III, the outgoing county GOP chairman."

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE SO DRASTICALLY — " Vainieri has the support of all 12 mayors, Tom and Amy DeGise, to be the next HCDO chair" by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Vainieri (D-8) has the support of all 12 local mayors, along with County Executive Tom DeGise and his daughter, Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Amy DeGise, to lead the county's local Democratic party … The HCDO will hold its leadership election following the Democratic Primary in June and Vainieri now looks tough to beat about two weeks after his potential candidacy leaked, along with the possibility of Tom DeGise's chief of staff, Craig Guy, succeeding him."

HOW DARE YOU PROVIDE LESS AID WHEN THERE ARE FEWER STUDENTS? — "'Truly heartbreaking': Sussex County educators decry more school state aid cuts," by The New Jersey Herald's Kyle Morel: "Sussex County school districts will lose yet more state funds if Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed spending plan is approved. As it stands now, 19 of the county's 25 school districts will see cuts to their state aid under the fiscal year 2023 spending plan released on March 8. Murphy increased the overall amount of state aid headed to school districts by $650 million for a total of $9.92 billion in aid. This is part of his seven-year plan to raise state spending on K-12 schools. Overall, the state spends about $19 billion on education, including the increase in aid. But the state's aid to Sussex County districts was cut by more than $7 million, from $87.8 million in the current fiscal year to $80.7 million for 2023. The formula to determine the amount of aid given to districts relies at least partially on school enrollment, which in Sussex County has dropped significantly in the past decade. According to data from the Newark-based Education Law Center, Sussex County schools experienced the largest enrollment percentage loss in the state from 2008-09 to 2021-22, with a 29% drop. The statewide decline over that time period was just 3%."

—" Dementia patient wanders Trenton alone after Mercer County jail mixup"

—"Paterson BOE holding public hearing on confidential contract for superintendent Shafer"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

MIAMI VICE — "From prison to paradise: After decades of struggles and eventual success in New Jersey, Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion is hoping to make his Miami joint a marijuana destination ," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jason Nark: "One night, last winter, longtime marijuana activist Ed 'NJWeedman' Forchion drank a few beers, and smoked a fat joint, of course, before chasing it down with a handful of psychedelic mushrooms and letting the South Florida vibes soak his senses. Tropical breezes blew the bitter memories of legal battles and money troubles from his mind for a while, and he walked along the Miami River, taking in the bikinis and $1 million boats blasting reggaeton, each one like a floating nightclub. This wasn't February along the Delaware in Trenton, N.J. Forchion, 57, wound up in Wynwood, Miami's arts district, where nearly every building is splashed with mind-bending murals and graffiti … 'Ladies! Ladies! Come to The Joint of Miami. It's my club!' A year later, Forchion was back on the Miami River, piloting his own boat on a sunny, Saturday afternoon. He was yelling out to a group of women lounging on the bow of another vessel heading out to Biscayne Bay. His boat's called The Joint, named after that Wynwood warehouse he turned into a popular, marijuana-friendly nightspot in about six months … Forchion's not quite a familiar face yet in South Florida, but he thinks that will change … Forchion said he's not selling weed in Miami. Instead, he's making money on cover charges and liquor sales from the thousands of patrons coming through his club, on most weekends. Other clues of his success were evident. He didn't flinch at the boat's $1,200 gas bill at the marina."

JEH JEH JOHNSON ON JAZZ RADIO — "Jeh Johnson to host 'All Things Soul' on WBGO, Bill Clinton is his first guest," by The Record's Julia Martin: "Jeh Johnson, former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and a Montclair resident, will host a new show on the jazz radio station WBGO next Saturday , with former President Bill Clinton as his guest. WBGO, a Newark-based national public radio station at 88.3 FM, recently launched a new program schedule; every few months, Johnson will host the program 'All Things Soul,' on Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. Clinton, a saxophone player and jazz aficionado, will be Johnson's first guest on the premiere show. Johnson, who served as secretary of Homeland Security from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama, is a longtime supporter of the station and a big jazz fan, said Stevan Smith, WGBO's chief content officer."

LUCY GETTING BUMPED UP TO A HIGHER INCOME TAX BRACKET — "Jersey Shore landmark Lucy the Elephant undergoing $2M makeover," by NJ Advance Media's Deion Johnson: "The six-story elephant — known as the tallest roadside attraction in the nation — is undergoing a $2 million restoration project. But you wouldn't know it, since his entire body — yes, Lucy is a he despite what you might assume from the painted toenails and name — has been covered with a massive tarp since work started in the fall.' … But, maintaining Lucy's beauty isn't easy. The project currently underway, which has kept Lucy off-limits to tourists since September, includes removing the metal cladding covering the exterior which had rusted and allowed water to enter. Underneath, the wooden sheathing became damaged so that is now being repaired and replaced. New metal made of a nickel-copper alloy that will stand up in marine environments is being added to his exterior before he gets a new coat of paint."

SHEINBAUM A LIGHT ON IT — "Advocates can access Woodland nursing home to investigate abuse, NJ judge rules," by The New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock: "A federal judge in New Jersey has given a legal advocacy organization unfettered access to the long-troubled Woodland nursing home as the nonprofit works to investigate alleged abuse and neglect of residents. Disability Rights New Jersey, a nonprofit federally mandated to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, sought relief from the District Court of New Jersey on Tuesday after they say administration 'threatened and intimidated' them as they sought to connect with residents. Judge Brian Martinotti, in Newark during a hearing on Friday, sided with the advocacy organization and granted them access, stating that if he didn't, the residents and the advocacy group would suffer harm. But Peter Slocum, Woodland's attorney, said in an email after the hearing that Woodland "has granted, and continues to grant, Disability Rights New Jersey appropriate access to its residents to ensure they are receiving proper care … On Feb. 20 during a second visit, advocates say Chaim "Mutty" Scheinbaum, one of two owners of Woodland, ordered they wait in his office while he spoke with staff and his attorney and threatened to call police if they left, according to the filing."

—" Wounds that never heal N.J. hazing incidents are often quickly forgotten. But for victims, they last forever"

—" N.J. astronaut Scott Kelly says Russia's International Space Station video 'crossed the line'"

—"The most infamous person from each of N.J.'s 21 counties"

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