News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Menendez: An Egypt connection?

Friday, October 28, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Menendez: An Egypt connection?

Oct 28, 2022

Presented by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Good Friday morning!

It's been 48 hours since news of another Menendez scandal broke, and we don't have all that much more detail. But there are a couple worth noting.

On Wednesday, the New York Times published a detail I didn't see anywhere else and that few people noted (save for Shlomo Schorr ). Times reporters talked to a Fort Lee attorney, Antranig "Andy" Aslanian Jr., who acknowledged being subpoenaed. The Times said Aslanian investigators "were interested in the senator's interactions with people that he also knew" and "asked about a company authorized to certify halal meat for export, which Mr. Aslanian had helped a friend incorporate."

With that, I was able to dig up the name of the company, which I had already heard in the from a source: Edgewater-based IS EG Halal, for which New Jersey state business incorporation documents show Aslanian was the registered agent and incorporator in a 2017 document. It also listed him on the company's board of directors. IS EG Halal, according to its website, is "the only entity exclusively authorized by the Government of Egypt to certify Halal exports worldwide."

And according to a 2016 article from The Record newspaper , Aslanian represented the Egyptian government in a zoning dispute with East Rutherford over its plans to renovate a building it wants to use as its UN mission residence. The article is no longer online, but you can find the short excerpt front his publication here .

Menendez, of course, is chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Maybe the Egypt thing is just a coincidence. But it's clear investigators were asking about this company.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 264

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

WHERE'S MURPHY? — In Port Monmouth for an 11:30 a.m. Flood Protection Project tour with Sens. Menendez and Booker, Rep. Frank Pallone et al.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Through the history of America, police have played a major role in those 246 years [of slavery]. Police have played a major role in those 89 years [of segregation]. So when I talk to you about it, I talk from experience. I talk to you as a father of four young Black men that unfortunately get pulled over a little too often." — Assemblymember Benjie Wimberly during floor debate on a bill to partially walk back a ban on police at polling places

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — State Sen. Jim Beach. Saturday for Assemblymember Michele Matsikoudis, state Sen. Bob Singer, Paterson Councilmember Abdel Aziz.

A message from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

WHAT TRENTON MADE

GUNS N' POLITICAL WOES-ES — Concealed carry bill pulled from Assembly voting session due to 'technical issue' , by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The Assembly, in a surprise, last minute move, pulled a closely-watched concealed carry bill from its voting agenda Thursday because of "a technical issue." Despite the last-minute delay, a spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said the bill will still land on Gov. Phil Murphy's desk soon. "We've identified a technical issue that requires a minor amendment to the bill to ensure that the text meets the legislative intent," Cecilia Williams, the spokesperson, said in a statement … Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, a prime sponsor of the measure, NJ A4769 (22R), said in a brief interview at the Statehouse that the legislation was not pulled because of a lack of support in the Democrat-controlled lower house … According to one legislative source, the technical revision includes narrowly defining weapons to make clear that guns cannot be carried in certain "sensitive places" designated in the bill and that people don't face stiff penalties for carrying items like mace. Republicans had raised concerns that the definition of weapons was too broad in the legislation and could include items other than guns.

—Coughlin: " NJ's concealed carry policy needs a common sense approach. Here's why "

SANDYVERSARY — 'We're not ready': NY, NJ still building for extreme weather 10 years after Hurricane Sandy, by POLITICO's Danielle Muoio Dunn and Ry Rivard: As Hurricane Sandy barreled ashore, bringing battering winds and crushing waves, thousands evacuated their homes in New York and New Jersey before the storm cut a $69 billion swath of destruction across the region, crippling public transit and causing a historic shutdown of Wall Street trading. … But 10 years after Sandy, many of the bold improvements planned in the hurricane's immediate aftermath remain incomplete or behind schedule in New York and New Jersey. … Not because the money isn't there, but because of delays, red tape and politics.

— " Storm warnings: 10 years after Sandy, the state remains as vulnerable as ever to nature's fury ," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman and Steven Rodas: "It's been 10 years since Sandy pummeled New Jersey, yet the memory of its devastation has done little to discourage people from living near the sea. More people in bigger homes are now living on tracts of land more valuable than ever — places that many experts say will almost certainly flood again amid a growing threat of rising seas and more extreme weather. Indeed, in the most densely populated state in the nation, a NJ Advance Media analysis of construction and tax records since 2012 found rebuilding and new development has reshaped many of the coastal areas hardest hit by Sandy, including Mantoloking, Beach Haven, Little Egg Harbor, and Point Pleasant, according to building permit records since 2012. Much has been done to harden the coast and raise houses up higher in potential flood zones in anticipation of what could happen when a storm surge from the next big storm inevitably hits, but still the threat remains."

— " A decade after Hurricane Sandy, fight to reform disaster relief continues "

—" A decade later, Shore builds back bigger "

POLS, POLICE AND POLLING PLACES — "Plan to allow cops at some N.J. polling sites passes easily despite heated debate," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson and Matt Arco: "A bipartisan proposal that would allow police officers to be stationed again at schools and senior residential centers that double as polling places in New Jersey won overwhelming support from both parties in the state Assembly on Thursday. In a rare scene, the measure passed 72-0 at the Statehouse in Trenton even after Republicans spent about half an hour making heated arguments over how this bill and a previous law limits police presence at voting sites in the state."

—" NJ proposal to ban subscriptions for features already built into cars "

—" Reparations: Discussion is not easy in NJ "

— Murphy releases long-awaited flood rule ahead of Sandy commemorations

—" Commute times getting shorter in NJ "

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BIDEN TIME

TYPICAL MONTCLAIR KID — " Military college student from N.J. pleads guilty to role in Jan. 6 riot ," by Kevin Shea for NJ.com: "A college student originally from New Jersey pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot that delayed the counting of the presidential electoral votes. Elias Irizarry was a freshman at The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina, when federal authorities arrested him in March 2021 on three charges related to storming the Capitol. He remains at the Citadel, Charleston-area news organizations reported Wednesday. Irizarry attended Montclair High School, and is the son of Vincent Irizarry, a longtime actor and soap opera star … The Citadel's website shows that Irizarry has been on the dean's list and earned gold stars since being charged. The university told WCSC 5 in South Carolina Wednesday that they're aware of the plea agreement, but a federal privacy law prevents them commenting or speculating on, 'any potential disciplinary proceedings.'"

— Abortion, inflation weigh heavily in 11th District race between Sherrill and DeGroot

—Snowflack: " The Menendez situation "

A message from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

LOCAL

NO PALS IN THIS PARK — " Palisades Park councilman bolts Democrats, joins GOP ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "A Democratic councilman in Palisades Park is switching parties in protest of the treatment of Republican Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Stephanie Jang by the local party boss, borough administrator David Lorenzo. The switch of Jae K. Park still leaves the borough council with a 4-2 Democratic majority, but gives the GOP an opportunity to take control of the council in the November 8 general election. 'I have come to realize that the Democratic Party in Palisades Park is under the complete control of an elitist group of individuals who put their own self-interests before the interests and well-being of the residents of Palisades Park,' Park said."

WE DON'T LIKE YOU, HERE'S $2,600 — " Paterson Councilman Khalique turns down 'Trump money' donation from GOP ," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "City Council President Shahin Khalique said he has turned down a $2,600 contribution from the Passaic County Republican Party because he doesn't want 'Trump money.' The county GOP listed the donation to Khalique on a campaign finance report made public this week … Passaic County Republican Party Chairman Peter Murphy did not respond to a message seeking his comment for this story. Khalique said he had no idea where the check came from. 'I don't even know who dropped it off,' he said. Khalique suggested it may have something to do with an odd political convergence at the Brownstone in Paterson. He said he was holding a small fundraiser on Aug. 31 to celebrate his selection as the council president on the same night the Republicans were having an event in a different room at the banquet hall. Khalique said some people at the GOP party mingled with folks at his event. Maybe somebody is just trying to put me on the spot,' he said."

I CAN'T HIGH 55 — Jersey City Council moves forward on capping cannabis dispensaries at 55 citywide , by Hudson County View's Daniel Ulloa: The Jersey City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance capping the number of adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the city at 55. "I know that we have some questions and concerns. Since this is first reading, I hope we can work those out before second reading," Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley said before voting yes. "We have had roughly 55 applications so far. The [Jersey City Cannabis Control] Board has approved 23. 19 of 23 were labeled as 'diverse.' That's where we came from with the data. We'll talk to the council more and have more conversations prior to second reading," Business Administrator John Metro explained

POINTEDLY UNPLEASANT BREACH — " [Ocean County] reports data breach for 3,900 deceased Medicaid recipients ," by NJ Advance Media's Jeff Goldman: "Officials say there was no nefarious intent when an Ocean County employee emailed a spreadsheet containing personal information about 3,900 deceased Medicaid recipients to another worker. The spreadsheet was not downloaded by the recipient nor was it shared with anyone else, the state Department of Human Services said Thursday. The employee to whom the email was sent was not authorized to receive the information."

—" Perth Amboy mayor calls on rival council slate to drop out after bribery charges "

—" This is how much 1,300 Paterson city employees get for working during the pandemic "

—" Packed school board race in Hawthorne is the most competitive election in 18 years "

—" ACUA President Rick Dovey planning to retire in June "

—" Meet Brick's newest councilmember, Derrick T. Ambrosino "

—" Gov. Murphy appoints George Gilmore to Ocean County Election Board "

—" Feds tout partnerships for decrease in shootings in Jersey City, other big cities "

DON'T MISS POLITICO'S 2nd ANNUAL DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/16: The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security and democratic ideals. The current conflicts and developments around the world are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. Join POLITICO for our second annual defense summit, "At a Crossroads: America's Defense Strategy" on November 16 in person at the Schuyler DC or join online to hear keynote interviews and panels discussing the road ahead for America's national security. REGISTER HERE .

EVERYTHING ELSE

PAINTINGS — " Why some think selling a historic Monmouth battle painting would be 'pathetically tragic' ," by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp : A 'significant' piece of historic artwork depicting George Washington at the Battle of Monmouth may be sold by the Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) for millions of dollars, drawing opposition from historians who claim the MCHA museum would lose a valuable piece of history. Titled 'Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth,'the painting by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, a legendary German artist, dates to 1857. It recreates Washington's involvement in the historic battle that occurred in June 1778. 'I think it would be pathetically tragic to sell one of the key pieces of the association's major collection,' said Joe Hammond, a former curator of the MCHA museum and one-time director of the association,"

HOW TO MAKE JON BRAMNICK JEALOUS — " Away from court, this attorney is performing at comedy clubs and opening for Trevor Noah ," by The Record's Megan Burrow: "For years, Vince Sicari led a double life. Sicari drove from his Bergen law office to comedy clubs and acting auditions in New York City, often ducking into highway gas station bathrooms along the way to change out of his suit to something more casual, Superman-style. Sicari largely kept his legal career separate from his life in comedy until 2013, when the state Supreme Court ruled he could not remain in his part time job as a municipal judge in South Hackensack while continuing to perform. The ruling and his choice of comedy over the court made national headlines. Now, nearly a decade later, Sicari, 53, says he has no regrets. A River Edge resident, he is still making jokes onstage and pursuing his acting dreams, opening for Trevor Noah on tour and warming up the crowd at The Daily Show while maintaining his private law practice."

—" 'Prison is death': NJ deportees freed from Haitian jail after suffering deplorable conditions "

—" 'Dumb Money' movie with all-star cast including Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson filming at N.J. college "

—" Corrections officer from Jersey City charged with taking bribe at state prison "

—" The true story of Charles Cullen, serial killer portrayed in Netflix's 'The Good Nurse' "

—Edelstein: " The one where I finally get my colonoscopy "

A message from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

Efforts to make New Jersey a healthier, more equitable state took a major step forward with Acenda Integrated Health receiving funding from RWJF to serve as the "incubator" organization to launch the state's first public health institute.

The institute will promote collaboration and build capacity in New Jersey, where public health infrastructure and systems are stretched thin. It will play a key role in a reimagined public health system in the state. Today, 33 states are served by a public health institute; New Jersey's would be the first to have health equity as a founding priority.

"Dedicated advocates, community members, and partners in state government have worked hard for this moment to arrive," said RWJF's Maisha Simmons. "Everyone in New Jersey should be able to live the healthiest life possible – and a establishing a public health institute is a critical step on that path."