News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Racism and an expensive cover-up in Clark

Thursday, March 31, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Racism and an expensive cover-up in Clark

Mar 31, 2022

Presented by American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Well, here's an insane article.

The mayor of Clark, Sal Bonaccorso, and its police chief, Pedro Matos, were caught on tape allegedly using racial slurs — yes, even that one — and joking about lynching.

And that's not all. When the cop who secretly made the recordings came forward with them, the town didn't take any steps to rectify the situation, according to the article. Instead, the council quietly approved a $400,000 payment to keep the whistleblower quiet and to remain on the payroll without working until retiring with a full pension.

This happened two years ago. Bonaccorso is still mayor. The Union County Prosecutor's Office took control of the town's police department a few months after the payment, but a promised report on the situation from the state attorney general has not materialized. Meanwhile, Matos and two other cops have spent the last two years on paid administrative leave.

The article and I use the word "allegedly" because it's hard to prove 100 percent that those tapes are their voices and haven't been altered. But let's be real: If you look at all the circumstances around it as laid out in the article, it's hard to imagine they're faked.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NONPROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 44

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Holmdel at 11:30 am for a "Support Ukraine service project? Media: "Ask Governor Murphy" at 7 pm on your NPR affiliate

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I have many, many Black friends in my life, many of them; and employees here and everything else." — Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Former Marlboro Councilmember Jeff Cantor, Former AC Councilmember Mo Delgado, consultant Andrew Edelson, Assemblymember Christopher Tully (accidentally included him on yesterday's list)

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

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

No worker should have to choose between their health and a paycheck, but that's exactly what a loophole in state law forces Atlantic City casino employees to do every day. It's past time to eliminate the casino smoking loophole by passing S264/A2151, bipartisan bills supported by legislators across the state and which Gov. Murphy says he'll sign. Learn why thousands of casino employees are speaking out on this life and death matter.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

RUNNING A ZOMBIE ACCOUNT TAKES BRAINS — 'Zombie' campaign accounts remain active for New Jersey lawmakers no longer in office, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: "Since Roberts announced his retirement in September 2009, the account, Friends of Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts, has donated more than $1.1 million to state Democratic politicians and PACs, mostly from South Jersey, while earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from interest and dividends. Roberts is the biggest, though not the only example POLITICO found of a former politician who continues to spread largesse in the Garden State. It is completely legal for New Jersey politicians — from the local to federal level — to keep campaign accounts open and spending after they leave office. That's true even for former officeholders who, unlike Roberts, have been convicted of corruption. … And while there have been recent efforts by powerful lawmakers to overhaul New Jersey's campaign finance system, the issue of zombie accounts has flown under the radar."

DAS KAPITAL BUDGET — "NJ Transit riders spared fare increases at expense of major improvement projects," by Bloomberg's Elise Young: "Four years after Governor Phil Murphy vowed to stop a budgeting practice that starves New Jersey Transit of long-term bus and rail improvements, documents show the agency counting on the practice throughout his two terms. From fiscal 2023-2026, the largest U.S. statewide transportation provider is projecting a shift of $1.5 billion from its capital budget to pay for day-to-day needs, agency records show. That's atop the $1.7 billion that Murphy moved in his first four years. For the governor, a 64-year-old Democrat and a retired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. senior director, juggling funds has a reward: Boosting the operating budget with annual cash transfers, he's promised no fare increases for five straight years. That's a politically savvy move. But transportation advocates say it has a serious downside for an agency trying to overcome years of financial neglect."

CORY BOOKER TO PROPOSE REQUIRING ALL FEDERAL DOCUMENTS BE WRITTEN ONLY IN KLINGON — "Bill would require state documents to be translated into 15 languages ," by New Jersey Monitor's Sophie Nieto-Munoz: "More than 150 languages are spoken in homes across New Jersey, one of the most diverse states in the country. Yet, important state documents and forms are usually required to be printed in only one language: English. A new bill seeks to increase that number to 15 languages, a move its supporters say would encourage more civic engagement and increase access to minority residents and the state's growing ethnic populations. 'Language access is the key to building trust and building community. People definitely become more informed, more engaged, and they just want to be involved more,' said Raina Mustafa, executive director of the Clifton-based Palestinian American Community Center. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), would go further than similar language-access legislation in other states. Hawaii, California, and New York all require state documents to be translated into the states' 10 most frequently spoken languages."

COLA BILL TASTES THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAWMAKERS — "Inflation increases for NJ pensions suddenly gaining sponsors ," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons : "A proposal first made 11 years ago to restore cost-of-living adjustments to the pensions of retired public workers in New Jersey may be finally picking up speed. Sen. Shirley Turner, D-Mercer, first introduced the bill in June 2011, one day after then-Gov. Chris Christie signed a pension reform bill into law that suspended COLAs until the retirement systems are restored to better financial health. … Turner introduced it each session, but it went nowhere. It was joined a few years later by Sen. Brian Stack, D-Hudson, but nobody else — until last month. It has now added more 24 sponsors and co-sponsors between the Senate and a companion Assembly bill, including 11 Democrats and 13 Republicans."

THERE GOES MY DREAM OF WORKING REMOTELY FROM COSTA RICA — "NJ Judiciary blocks web traffic from outside US," by Law360's Nick Muscavage: "The New Jersey Judiciary is ramping up its cybersecurity efforts by blocking web traffic from outside the United States in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its increasingly hostile relations."

— "Delay in start of N.J. marijuana market not uncommon"

— New Jersey teacher pipeline program 'a model for the country,' deputy ed secretary says

— " N.J. Supreme Court hands down ruling in qualified immunity case"

— "N.J. lawmaker planning bill to address explosion of bad behavior on sports fields"

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BIDEN TIME

DON'T WORRY. YOU'LL SEE PLENTY OF ANNOYING ADS — "House Majority PAC didn't reserve N.Y. TV time, but don't read too much into that," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "The House Majority PAC has reserved $101.8 million in TV and digital ads for Democratic congressional candidates for the fall midterm election in about 50 media markets across the U.S., but not in North Jersey where as many as three incumbents face competitive re-election bids. But that doesn't mean national Democrats are bailing on New Jersey House members, including Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes), whose 7th district seat is viewed as the state's most competitive. 'The focus of our initial reservations is in competitive districts that also fall in crowded media markets where there is a greater advantage to reserving early,' said Abby Curran Horrell, the House Majority PAC executive director. 'We will be announcing additional spending at a later date.' While the total reservation of ad space is large, the process is fairly typical."

WITH SALT, DEMOCRATS VOW TO PUSH IT REAL GOOD — "Will Democrats restore break that could save NJ taxpayers billions? Time is running out ," by The Record's Daniel J. Munoz: "With Republicans vying to take control of Congress this November, time may be running out to restore a property-tax break claimed by thousands of homeowners in the Garden State. The state and local tax deduction, known as SALT, was capped at $10,000 under President Donald Trump's tax reform bill in 2017, in a move that Democrats decried as an attack on blue states like New Jersey. A plan to partially lift that cap passed the House of Representatives last fall and would provide an estimated $67 billion in savings for U.S. taxpayers next year, most of it going to high-income filers. But Democrats, who control both Congress and the White House, have failed to reach an agreement on SALT over the past year. In the latest twist, the $5.8 trillion spending plan proposed by President Joe Biden this week didn't even mention the issue."

— "Essex GOP backs Selen for Congress in NJ-11"

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

LOCAL

UGLY NIMBYISM — "How a South Jersey town tried to block alternative school for students derided by mayor as 'worst of the worst,'" by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Melanie Burney: "When real estate developer Kevin Dixon decided to convert his South Jersey property into an alternative school for troubled students from Atlantic City, he started losing friends. … Dixon, a longtime resident and former township engineer, found himself at odds with Galloway officials after deciding in September 2020 to lease a building to Camelot Educational Resources, a Texas-based firm that planned to enroll about 90 students mostly Black and Latino from Atlantic City and Pleasantville under a $2.3 million contract with the Atlantic City school district to create Sea Shore Learning Academy. … But the project derailed after pushback from officials and residents in the predominantly white town of nearly 36,000. At a meeting last October with Dixon, then-Mayor James Gorman told him the prospective students 'were the worst of the worst,' court records show.

"And a month later, residents who spoke out at a heated Nov. 9 council meeting called the students 'dangerous, disturbed' and 'trash coming into my town.' After the meeting, the township solicitor instructed the town's code official to issue stop permits on the project. Now, after U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler ruled in January that township officials' actions were discriminatory, a preliminary injunction he issued has blocked officials from trying to further thwart the school. Dixon said the school is now scheduled to open in a few weeks. … At the Nov. 9 meeting, a resident asked how to obtain a gun permit and warned, 'I'm not going to put up with it.'"

REMOVAL OPPONENTS FORM 'THE COMMITTEE TO SAVE MOUNT CAMDEN' —"Camden City budget includes $5 million to remove toxic dirt pile, by The Courier-Post's Phaedra Trethan: "The dirt pile should soon be a memory for South Camden residents. Work will likely begin within the next three to four months to clear a massive pile of illegally dumped dirt which, according to an ongoing state lawsuit, contains carcinogens. City Council on Tuesday was presented with $5 million in American Rescue Act funds to clear the pile. The Camden Redevelopment Agency, which owns the site at 7th and Chestnut streets in the Bergen Square section, is soliciting proposals for soil removal at 1112-1114 South 6th Street, according to a legal notice in Tuesday's Courier-Post."

— "More than 40 Camden students drank milk that may have been tainted with sanitizer"

NOT YOUR PAL PARK — " Palisades Park Mayor Chris Chung says he'll run for reelection without Democrats' support," by The Record's Katie Cattafi: "Bergen County's first Korean American mayor, who once had aspirations to run for state Assembly, lost the Democratic committee's support for a reelection bid in Palisades Park, but says he'll run anyway. Christopher Chung made history three years ago when Gov. Phil Murphy swore him in as mayor of the borough, where more than half the population is of Korean descent. The town's Democratic committee held an internal vote this month to decide who would represent the party in the June primary. Chung was defeated, 11-3, with the majority in favor of Councilman Chong 'Paul' Kim. 'For unknown reasons to me, they voted against me,' Chung said. 'I believe the whole process wasn't proper and against bylaws. I think some members were being coerced by the Democratic club and told to vote a certain way.' … Last year, Chung dropped out of the Assembly race for the 37th District to focus on Palisades Park after a critical report by the state comptroller's office, which said borough officials had wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars."

THEY'LL JUST SAYEGH ANYTHING — " Paterson mayoral candidate attacked over fatal accident in which he was cleared," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "The latest political attack by one of Mayor Andre Sayegh's supporters caused an angry City Hall outburst Tuesday night by Councilman Luis Velez, one of the five men trying to oust Sayegh in Paterson's May 10 election. Police in Bergen County have determined that Velez did nothing wrong last November when the SUV he was driving fatally struck a Garfield woman on Route 46 in Teterboro. The victim was a pedestrian who authorities said was cutting across six lanes of the highway, far from a crosswalk. But Sayegh supporter Haytham Younes – the same man who has sued to get mayoral candidate Aslan Goow off the ballot over residency questions – spoke during Tuesday's council meeting and suggested Velez may 'go to jail' over the incident. Younes didn't mention Velez by name. But the councilman was certain the words were directed at him. He didn't take the perceived attack sitting down."

— "Trenton teen arrested in slaying of 9-year-old girl at Kingsbury Square"

— "Three years ago, Paterson opened this park to honor MLK. So why is it always locked?"

— " Attorney to represent woman, 82, for free after she is sued for 'burdensome' public records requests"

— " Ex-Jersey City Ward F Councilman Robinson sworn in as county board of elections commissioner"

— "After escaping country under siege, Ukrainian refugees find sanctuary in Jersey City"

— "Livingston's Fernandez, last remaining Essex Dem mayor to endorse Christie, will retire"

— " More sleep coming for Chatham students thanks to later start times next year"

— "Metuchen names next top cop, current chief to retire June 1 "

— "And then there were six: White gone on a technicality in the South Ward"

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

EVERYTHING ELSE

— "Plastic caps, face masks and balloons littered N.J. beaches in 2021. Here's what else was found"

— "Norcross group files suit demanding release of Republic First records"

— " World War II veteran's LBI home ravaged by fire; how you can help"

— "Rountree slaps three of seven deadly sins on airline CEOs"

— "Peacocks' winning story shines light on importance of independent colleges and universities in New Jersey | Opinion"

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

No worker in New Jersey should have to choose between their health and a paycheck, but that's exactly what a loophole in state law forces Atlantic City casino employees to do every day. It's past time to eliminate the casino smoking loophole by passing S264/A2151, bipartisan bills supported by legislators across the state and which Gov. Murphy says he'll sign. New Jersey should not allow any worker to be subjected to known carcinogens. Atlantic City casinos have been setting revenue records and operating with the fewest employees in years. Now is the time to protect casino employees' health. Just like restaurants adapted and thrived 16 years ago, casinos will do the same—and going smokefree can be a win-win, as several Pennsylvania casinos have voluntarily gotten rid of smoking and are setting revenue records. Learn why thousands of casino employees are speaking out on this life and death matter.