News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: AG opens up the Sheridan case

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: AG opens up the Sheridan case

Jun 01, 2022

Presented by New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx

Good Wednesday morning!

In 2016, a letter signed by 200 people including three former governors didn't convince the Attorney General's Office to investigate the mysterious 2014 deaths of John and Joyce Sheridan, after the Somerset County prosecutor's widely derided investigation that determined it was a murder-suicide.

If those people all lived together, they could form a village. But to re-open an investigation like this, it takes a podcast.

Or at least it would appear that way based on the timing of the announcement. I've only just begun listening to WNYC's "Dead End," but I don't know of any single, new piece of information it revealed that that's so compelling it could single-handedly launch an investigation. Don't get me wrong. There is some new info. Like how a close friend of Joyce Sheridan who had a three-hour lunch with her shortly before she was found dead was never even interviewed by prosecutors. But the podcast, which I think is well done, puts the case back in the public consciousness and potentially introduces it to a less New Jersey politics-centric and potentially even national audience. That could make it harder for the office to defend doing nothing.

Of course, there's also the 2014 murder of Michael Galdieri, of which people only started noting the perhaps-coincidental but striking similarities when political consultant Sean Caddle pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire in January.

Read more about it here.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 105

WHERE'S MURPHY? — Media: Fox 5 at 9 a.m., MSNBC at 10 a.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Maybe the language is different, but when they give county committees a lot of resources before the endorsement process, what is that except buying the line?" — Rutgers professor Julia Sass Rubin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — To the person I listed yesterday because I didn't know the date. Missed yesterday: Courier-Post's Jim Walsh.

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

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

Costs in New Jersey are sky high – and that includes prescription drug costs. Every year, Big Pharma raises the price of life-saving medications. Fortunately, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) negotiate with drug companies to reduce Rx costs for patients. As this legislative session ends, let's remind our representatives to support patient advocates like PBMs and make all entities in the drug supply chain do their part to lower costs. https://www.affordablerxnj.com/.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE LINE IS ON THE LINE — U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi yesterday allowed the lawsuit by (mostly) progressives challenging the constitutionality of the "county line" to go forward, setting up a test of that unique New Jersey institution that has advantaged political machines for decades. (Some argue the line doesn't provide an advantage, but usually not with a straight face). In a 39-page decision, Quraishi refused to dismiss most of the lawsuit's counts. Opponents are excited because getting rid of the line could up-end New Jersey politics as we know it, giving at least some non-establishment candidates a chance to compete on a more level primary playing field. I was on my way to a function when the decision dropped, so I had to skim it. I hope to have more on it soon. But you can bet this will be a closely watched case. "We look forward to beginning the discovery process, which will shine a spotlight on the practices of county elections officials, and we look forward to proving our case at trial," New Jersey Working Families Alliance Executive Director Sue Altman said in a statement.

FEDS TO THE CARPENTERS: WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN — Indicted former Carpenters union official expected to change his not guilty plea, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: George Laufenberg, the former benefits funds manager for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters union in New Jersey and New York who is charged for more than $1.5 million in fraud, is expected to change his plea from not guilty after negotiations with federal prosecutors. U.S. District Court Judge Kevin McNulty has scheduled a change of plea hearing for 10 a.m. Friday in his chambers at the federal courthouse in Newark. There are two possible federal pleas other than not guilty: Guilty or no contest. It's not clear if Laufenberg's change of plea has anything to do with a wider federal investigation of the Carpenters union that was sparked by allegations of "self-dealing and corruption" contained in a whistleblower lawsuit. John Ballantyne, the former executive secretary-treasurer of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, alleged the United Brotherhood of Carpenters dissolved his local council in May 2018 to get rid of him and his subordinates for, he alleged, uncovering malfeasance that had the blessing of some of the international union's top leaders. Among Ballantyne's allegations was that union leaders sought to protect Laufenberg and "expressed anger about the termination of their good friend" when Ballantyne advised trustees to fire him. Ballantyne and the union settled the lawsuit months after he filed it. The settlement terms were not disclosed, but the lawsuit appears to have sparked the federal criminal investigation.

A SAVAGE DECISION — "Non-disparagement agreements not barred by state law, judges rule," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: "Though New Jersey in 2019 banned the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases involving workplace issues like harassment and retaliation, non-disparagement agreements remain on the table, an appellate panel ruled Tuesday. The decision stems from an interview former Neptune Township police sergeant Christine Savage gave to NBC New York in 2020, after she and the town settled a legal dispute over her claims of gender-based discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Neptune charged Savage's comments to the news station violated a non-disparagement agreement the two sides signed when they settled. The three-judge panel ruled Tuesday against Savage's arguments that the 2019 ban on non-disclosure agreements also makes non-disparagement pacts unenforceable, though the judges handed her a win by declaring that her comments to NBC New York were not barred by the non-disparagement agreement … Tuesday's ruling says the 2019 law does not expressly bar or exempt the use of non-disparagement agreements. But the law's chief architect thinks the appellate panel has it wrong. 'When we talked about non-disclosure agreements, had anybody asked, that would have and should have been included. I don't think it was something that anybody brought to my attention, our collective attention,' former state Sen. Loretta Weinberg told the New Jersey Monitor. 'And I think, in fact, if that's how the courts decided, then the law should be revisited.'"

—Buttigieg celebrates infrastructure bill. New Jersey now awaits results

—" What will COVID look like this summer in NJ? Here's what the latest models show"

—"A look at every major proposed gun bill in the N.J. Legislature "

DON'T MISS THE 2022 GREAT LAKES ECONOMIC FORUM: POLITICO is excited to be the exclusive media partner again at the Council of the Great Lakes Region's bi-national Great Lakes Economic Forum with co-hosts Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This premier, intimate networking event, taking place June 26-28 in Chicago, brings together international, national and regional leaders from business, government, academia and the nonprofit sector each year. "Powering Forward" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect key decision-makers with thought leaders and agents of change to identify and advance solutions that will strengthen the region's competitiveness and sustainability in today's competitive climate of trade, innovation, investment, labor mobility and environmental performance. Register today.

BIDEN TIME

SOME FOLKS ARE BORN MADE TO WAVE THE FLAG — "Menendez Jr. eyes congressional seat as critics cry nepotism," by New Jersey Monitor's Sophie Nieto-Munoz : "Rob Menendez's push to follow in his father's footsteps is hardly unprecedented … In the past two decades, about 7% of U.S. representatives have had a family member serve before them, according to Daniel Smith, a Columbia University professor who has studied the issue … Menendez is currently a Port Authority commissioner and attorney at Lowenstein Sandler. He explored seeking the Jersey City mayoralty last year but ended up not running. He waves away criticism of his campaign as one built on nepotism. 'We work every single day to build a broad coalition of folks who see our vision and agree with it, and who believe this is how we move the district and the country forward,' he said. Data scientist Seth Isaac Stephens-Davidowitz suggested in a New York Times opinion piece from 2015 that among men, sons of senators have an 8,500 times higher chance of becoming senator than an average citizen."

—Daily Beast: "Inside a Dem senator's plan to install his son in Congress"

NUTLEY — "North Jersey to become hub of COVID drug development with $108M grant," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "Major research institutions led by scientists at Hackensack Meridian Health's laboratory in Nutley are teaming up to develop new COVID-19 treatments with federal grants up to $108 million as the virus continues to mutate into new forms, executives announced Tuesday. The partnership among virologists and drug makers aims to rapidly develop drugs that can be taken by mouth without a patient having to be admitted to a hospital. Their goal is to be nimble enough to produce treatments that can respond to a rapidly-changing virus, which can mutate into new variants that only take weeks to spread across the globe. 'The goal is to develop and bring to the market in real-time the next generation of anti-viral agents that can control the current virus, future variants, future coronaviruses and future viruses of pandemic concern,' said Dr. David Perlin, director of Hackensack Meridian's Center for Discovery and Innovation laboratories."

—Steinberg: "Jim Florio's three fundamental truths on the NRA and assault weapons "

—"Congressman Payne: Republicans are standing in the way of making communities safer | Opinion"

—""Five GOP candidates in 11th District primary — all long shots against Sherrill"

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

LOCAL

NO PALS IN THIS PARK — "Screaming, controversy and accusations: How Palisades Park became a borough divided," by The Record's Kristie Cattafi: "The looming June primary election has divided the mayor and council, nearly halting borough business. Tensions came to a head last week at the final council meeting before the primary — a night that included three hours of screaming from council members and residents, and accusations of overspending and improper distribution of benefits. Palisades Park is no stranger to controversy. The last mayoral primary ended in protests throughout town, the Police Department hasn't had a chief of police since 2019 after a scathing report, and last year a critical report by the state comptroller's office said borough officials had wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. Councilwoman Cynthia Pirrera asked both parties to stop and focus on borough business, and when they refused, she excused herself from the rest of the meeting. Councilman Chong 'Paul' Kim received the Democratic Party's endorsement for mayor in March over incumbent Mayor Christopher Chung. Despite losing the party's support, Chung decided to run with his own slate against Kim. Since then, Chung has removed three police consultants, switched the Police Department's officer-in-charge role to another captain amid controversy and attempted to fire the business administrator and deputy administrator — all moves he said were not politically motivated."

WILL STAY CLOSED UNTIL RESIDENTS START USING THE TERM 'TAYLOR HAM' — "State lowers boom on South Jersey wildlife areas, cuts public access due to bad behavior," by The Daily Record's Joseph P. Smith: "City officials are angry over a unilateral state decision closing Menantico Ponds Wildlife Area until Sept. 6, a timespan when the popular outdoor recreation site would be in regular use. Vice Mayor Joseph Sooy called the closure an 'utterly ridiculous' way to run public land. New Jersey owns a great amount of open space within the city, sometimes a cause of friction with local officials. The May 25 closure order is from the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Menantico Ponds off Route 49 is one of five wildlife management areas that is closed. Four of the areas are in South Jersey counties. The closure order cites a need 'to protect public safety and natural resources' from 'large crowds and unauthorized activities – including swimming and off-road vehicle use.' The division took the same action last year, for the same reasons, although that closure lasted until Sept. 15, 2021."

MR. SAYEGH, TEAR DOWN THIS BLUE WALL — "Paterson activists: Rogue cops' testimony took public behind 'blue wall of silence' ," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "How many days of freedom did five rogue Paterson cops gain by helping federal authorities convict the sergeant who supervised them while they committed their crimes? That question won't be answered until a federal judge imposes their long-delayed prison sentences on dates that have not yet been set. The five disgraced officers — Jonathan Bustios, Daniel Pent, Eudy Ramos, Frank Toledo and Matthew Torres — all said during the trial of Sgt. Michael Cheff last week that they were testifying in hopes of spending less time in jail, part of an agreement they made with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Social justice activists in Paterson said they think the decision to make the deal with the crooked cops — called 'thugs' during the trial — was a good one … [Corey] Teague, a member of the Paterson Board of Education, said he would have preferred if the wrongdoers admitted their misdeeds for some reason other than to try to save themselves. Still, he said, their testimony validated allegations Paterson residents have been making against city cops for many years. 'It's like you're crazy until you're proven right,' Teague said."

CLUSTERF**K — "Some in Colonia not satisfied after no radiological hazards found at school," by The Courier-News' Suzanne Russell: "Some residents want the search to continue for answers about a possible cancer cluster linked to Colonia High School, though testing at the campus found no radiological hazards to warrant further investigation. 'They have to keep testing. For me the case is not closed,' said Matthew DeCillis, whose wife Angela, 44, died with a malignant brain tumor in February, just six months after the diagnosis. Edyta Komorek, an environmental scientist and mother of a Colonia High School sophomore, said state and federal agencies are not taking the issue seriously enough. 'I'm glad the radiological readings and radon results are within range, but from my experience I know we should be looking at many more chemicals. We should sample soil, groundwater and air,' said Komorek … [Shawn] LaTourette said the DEP also evaluated additional environmental factors within a mile of the school, including naturally occurring radioactive deposits, history of the land use and hazardous site contamination, but no areas of concern were found."

R.I.P. — " Anthony Cruz, former Jersey City deputy mayor, dies at 61"

—"Judge refuses to order that Newark polling places be made handicapped accessible"

—"New Jersey Supreme Court affirms appellate decision on Jersey City payroll tax"

—" Marcal factory destroyed by 2019 Elmwood Park fire to be replaced by new industrial site"

—" After gay Pride flag flap, [Passaic] school fills windows with rainbow banners"

—"[Margate] residents, visitors react to Downbeach Express toll increase"

—"After feds drop subpoenas on [Trenton], mayor says anyone who abused grant money 'should be punished'"

—" Power struggle over Trenton redevelopment continues after judges denies injunction"

—"Trenton, NJ, schools impose new mask mandate "

—"Judge orders outside look at health issues in sending Cumberland inmates to North Jersey"

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

NOTHING'S MORE ROCK 'N ROLL THAN STIFLING EMPLOYEE DISSENT — Hard Rock casino accused of trying to 'dissuade employees' from talking to media about smoking ban, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: An anti-smoking group is accusing one of Atlantic City's top casinos of trying to "dissuade employees" from speaking to the media about efforts to ban indoor casino smoking. Last week, employees at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City were sent a media policy — a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO, stating that workers must get prior authorization before speaking with the media in their capacity as Hard Rock employees. Similar policies are common among private employers. But the directive from Hard Rock comes as workers at a number of casinos in Atlantic City participate in an aggressive public relations campaign in support of a measure to ban indoor casino smoking, something the casino industry has long opposed. Casino workers have made numerous media appearances in recent months, telling personal anecdotes of secondhand smoke on the casino floor and the affect it has had on their health.

"Contracts expired, union to picket Atlantic City's Tropicana"

— "One way to get rid of disease-carrying ticks in the Pine Barrens? Burn 'em"

—" The O'Toole Chronicles: The Dunning-Kruger Effect"

Correction: In the dark money counter near the top of this newsletter yesterday, I didn't take the weekend into account and skipped ahead only one day when it should have been three. Also, I misstated reporter Daniel Munoz's publication in a byline. It's The Record.

A message from New Jerseyans for Affordable Rx:

We can all agree that costs in New Jersey are already sky high – and that includes prescription drug costs. Year after year, big drug companies raise the price of life-saving medications to increase their profits. Patients deserve better. As this legislative session comes to an end, let's remind our elected officials in Trenton to hold Big Pharma accountable and make all entities in the drug supply chain find real solutions to increase access to affordable prescription drugs without impacting services. That means supporting patient advocates like Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that negotiate with Big Pharma to reduce Rx costs and put money back in the pockets of New Jersey families. It's time to stand up to special interests, cut unnecessary red tape, and let these advocates do what they do best - save patients money. https://www.affordablerxnj.com/.