| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind | Good Thursday morning! Admit it, because I know I wasn’t the only one. A year and a half ago, when Sean Caddle pleaded guilty to hiring hitmen to kill Michael Galdieri, you assumed something really big was coming. How could you not? Why else would Caddle, having effectively admitted to murder, be allowed to stay out of jail on home confinement? Well, Caddle’s sentencing, after being delayed several times — leading only to more speculation that he must be cooperating on something big — is scheduled for June 29. And the only non-murder related prosecution to come out of Caddle’s cooperation so far is the guilty plea of Tony Teixeira, the former chief of staff to Ray Lesniak and Nicholas Scutari, to tax evasion and wire fraud. I think at this point it’s fair to ask: Is that really all there is? Because it’s increasingly looking likely that it is. And if so, was it worth it? Just for Tony Teixeira? With prosecutions, unfortunately, there’s a ton we’ll never know. Most records related to it will remain hidden from the public eye, so we’ll likely never really get a definitive account of how much Caddle offered prosecutors and how aggressively they pursued any information they got from him. Still, it’s remarkable that Caddle could remain on home confinement so long if Tony Teixeira is as big as this case gets. Read more about it here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If you are so concerned about [Montclair CFO Padmaja] Rao having access to documents that could help her case, why don’t you settle the case and be done with it? Let the woman do her job. If she’s a crook, her case will fail and she’ll get fired. If she’s a hero, she’ll ultimately be compensated for the damages she’s suffered.” — Judge Stephen Petrillo to attorney Derrick Freijomil regarding his request that Rao be “walled off” from working on issues related to the retaliation allegations she lodged against Montclair and its former manager. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Phil Angarone, Muhammed Akil (had it wrong yesterday) NOT-SO-HAPPY ANNIVERSARY — Wednesday marked a year since Attorney General Matt Platkin announced his office re-opened the Sheridan case WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: At Atlantic Shores, we’re more than a renewable energy company. We’re a team of purpose-driven professionals who are committed to providing a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come. Our organization is guided by four core values that our team lives and breathes each day: to be safe, a good neighbor, a good steward of the environment and to lead with science. Learn more. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | PUBLIC DEFENDERS CAN BECOME JUDGES. PUBLIC OFFENDERS CAN BECOME PRESIDENT — “Attorney’s public defender past would offer Supreme Court new perspective, advocates say,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “Gov. Phil Murphy’s choice of [Michael] Noriega to sit on New Jersey’s highest court comes amid a record-setting spate of public defender judicial nominations by President Joe Biden, who has now nominated 37 former public defenders to federal judgeships, according to liberal judicial advocacy group the Alliance for Justice. … Supporters of the shift point to research that shows a different judicial makeup alters sentencing decisions, with former public defenders often issuing shorter sentences and fewer sentences that involve incarceration. “There’s no experience like sitting next to a person in court whose life or fortune is in your hands,” said former Justice Barry Albin. “You see the world from that defendant’s perspective, and you know what the high stakes are.”” ENVIRONMENT — School of Conservation management saga ends, but dam safety issues loom, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The state is turning over management of the New Jersey School of Conservation to a nonprofit, ending part of a long-running saga about the fate of an education center beloved by many of the state's leading environmentalists. But there is at least another major issue on the horizon: A historic dam located on the campus in Stokes State Forest needs to be repaired. The nonprofit now in charge of the school expects that’ll cost millions of dollars. —“Did Murphy allies pressure cannabis regulators to back down from disciplining N.J.’s largest legal weed company?” —Singleton: “NJ service workers must have job security. This is why” —Appeals court affirms DOBI’s Horizon reorganization
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
STILL JUICE LEFT IN THE ORANGE — Christie to launch ’24 run next week, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plans to launch his second presidential campaign next week in New Hampshire, POLITICO has confirmed. Christie’s entry into the 2024 contest … has all the makings for a potentially vitriolic primary as a small but growing field of candidates tries to keep former President Donald Trump from returning to the White House. Christie, 60, has been one of the most outspoken Republican critics of Trump after a falling out with him over his lies of a stolen election in 2020. And Christie is perhaps best suited to challenge Trump on a debate stage and on the campaign trail. Long before Trump arrived as the dominant force in American politics, Christie laid claim to a blunt and plainspoken style of politics that endeared him to Republicans nationally. But Christie’s fortunes have changed considerably since Trump rose to power. … Christie is expected to launch his 2024 run Tuesday at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, N.H., Axios reported.
THE KEAN ALT-ERNATIVE — Sue Altman jumps into congressional race against Tom Kean Jr., by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Sue Altman, executive director of the New Jersey Working Families Party, announced Wednesday she will run in the 7th Congressional District to take on freshman Rep. Tom Kean Jr. next year. Altman's announcement comes about a week after Tom Malinowski, who lost that seat to Kean last year, said he will not run in the expansive district that has become a battleground in a state dominated by Democrats. Kean's victory over Malinowski last year returned the district to Republican representation after four years and increased the state's GOP delegation to three compared to the Democrats' nine. Altman labeled Kean, the son of former Gov. Tom Kean and a longtime state lawmaker before being sworn into Congress, as a "lifelong politician, Trenton insider and Trump apologist" who has played to a narrow and "extreme" base. —“With Altman running for Congress, Miles will be WFP’s interim state director” MEAT MEET — “Sen. Bob Menendez met businessman under scrutiny in federal probe,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Corrine Ramey, James Fanelli and Summer Said: “Sen. Bob Menendez hosted a 2018 meeting in his Washington, D.C., office with a New Jersey businessman who is a focus of a federal public-corruption probe of the Democratic lawmaker that has broadened in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter. The meeting, which hasn’t been previously reported, came months before the businessman, Wael Hana, secured a contract with Egyptian officials for certifying halal meat exports. The contract is a key part of the probe examining whether Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, or his wife received gifts in exchange for political favors. Nadine Arslanian, who married Menendez in 2020, attended the 2018 meeting along with Egyptian diplomats and a New Jersey lawyer who is an associate of Hana. … That year, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and his military council decided they wanted one company to control all imports of halal meat, as part of a broader effort to increase the military’s control on the Egyptian economy, according to senior Egyptian officials. Hana, a U.S. citizen and Egyptian national, had limited experience with halal certification before winning the contract with Cairo.”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | WOLF HUFFED AND PUFFED BUT COULDN’T BLOW THE HOUSE CHAMBERS DOWN — “Medford woman known as Ayla Wolf to soon hear fate for 'commander' role in Capitol riot,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “A Medford woman who took part in the Capitol riot left the disturbance with a finger broken by a police officer’s baton, court filings say. Now, 51-year-old Stephanie Hazelton could face another painful consequence of her actions at the January 2021 insurrection. A federal prosecutor wants a judge to sentence Hazelton to 11 months in prison, along with a $10,000 fine. In a court filing, the prosecutor asserts Hazelton acted ‘like a commander on the battlefield,’ shouting for ‘more men’ and ‘more helmets’ as she urged others to push past police officers guarding the Capitol.” — “N.J. Oath Keepers member will plead guilty to Jan. 6 charge, lawyer says” — “Project Veritas sues founder James O’Keefe over his messy departure” —Snowflack:“The real contest: Will the line hold” —“[Gottheimer] says he’ll support federal debt ceiling deal”
| | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: At Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, we’re more than a renewable energy company. We’re a team of purpose-driven professionals committed to providing a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come.
We’re guided by four core values that our team lives and breathes each day:
· Be safe — If we can’t do our jobs safely, we can’t do them well. We prioritize the safety of our teams on the job, as well as the safety of our communities.
· Be a good neighbor — We interact and engage with the communities we serve to understand their point of view and bring their perspectives to the work we do.
· Be a good steward of the environment — We make sure our energy solutions are in harmony with the environment and nature around us.
· Lead with science — Data speaks the truth. Using science to inform our decisions makes us more environmentally and socially responsible.
Learn more. | | | | | LOCAL | |
THE FINANCES ARE SO BAD THAT MAYOR JOE JACKSON HAS BEEN LEFT SHOELESS — “Rockaway Township wasted millions on duplicate prescription benefits, comptroller says,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “A report released today by Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh finds that Rockaway Township has been plagued by poor money management in its local government, with millions of dollars unnecessarily going towards prescription benefits and vacation leave. According to the report, the Morris County township of 25,000 could have saved $4.5 million between 2019 and 2021, primarily by eliminating duplicate prescription benefits. The township has also accrued $4 million in financial liabilities thanks largely to the accumulation of unused vacation time, the report says. … The report comes at an inconvenient time for Mayor Joe Jackson, who was appointed in February 2022 and is now running for a full term.”
PERVS RIVER — “Teacher used #pervyteacher and #riskybulge in sexual tweets from Toms River classroom,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Kathleen Hopkins: “Kyle Banner used hashtags such as ‘pervy teacher’ and ‘risky bulge'’ when he posted sexual photographs and videos to his social media accounts and directed his young students to them, a judge noted. Some of the photos show Banner ‘wearing various devices or attachments to his male genitalia,’' with text references to ‘a high school student holding the key to that device,'’ Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan said. The backdrop for Banner's inappropriate visuals was his classroom at Toms River Intermediate School North, the judge said. … Despite that, at a detention hearing for the suspended intermediate school teacher Tuesday, Ryan said state law and state Supreme Court precedent constrained him from keeping Banner in jail without bail to await trial on official misconduct and child endangerment charges.” ONCE MORE UNTO THE BEACH — “Ocean City Council sets emergency meeting to address rowdy teens,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: After a Memorial Day weekend marred by vandalism, assaults, a confiscated firearm and several incidents of teens who drank themselves into unconsciousness, Mayor Jay Gillian has signed orders aimed at limiting gatherings of teens on the beach and Boardwalk. All city beaches will be closed at 8 p.m. Carrying backpacks will not be permitted after 8 p.m. on the beach and Boardwalk. Boardwalk bathrooms will be closed at 10 p.m. The curfew for juveniles will move from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. City Council has an emergency meeting set for 1 p.m. Thursday. … City Councilman Jody Levchuk, who has Boardwalk businesses, blamed state juvenile justice reform. He said he understands the motivation, to avoid criminal records for juvenile behavior that may cause lifelong problems, but said the reforms went too far. ‘When the state says, ‘Hey, kids, you can do what you want and the police can’t do anything about it,’ what did you think they were going to do?’ he said.” ELEC-ING TO DO NOTHING — “Judges sides with Holley, dimisses lawsuit in Roselle mayoral race,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A Superior Court judge today tossed a bid by Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw to freeze the campaign funds of his Democratic primary opponent, Jamel Holley, for not filing campaign finance reports. Judge Mark Ciarrocca said he lacked jurisdiction in the matter, instead referring Shaw to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Holley filed his campaign finance reports early Monday morning, past the May 5 deadline. … ELEC currently has no commissioners and has no authority to take any action at all.” DWUMFOUR — “Man accused of gunning down NJ councilmember set to stay in Virginia cell next month,” by WNYC’s Karen Yi: “The 29-year-old man arrested and accused of gunning down Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour four months ago is being held in a Virginia jail until his extradition hearing nearly a month from now, according to court records. Rashid Ali Bynum’s extradition hearing is set for June 29, court records show. He was arraigned Wednesday morning on a warrant of extradition for the New Jersey charges, and is held without bond pending extradition, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney Office in Chesapeake, Virginia.” —“From Bible study to brutal slaying, church connection deepens mystery in councilwoman’s killing” —“Sayreville councilwoman pastored man accused of shooting her dead, running mate says”
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | BORDENTOWN — “Former Bordentown Township police chief, convicted of lying to the FBI, will be released from prison,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Melanie Burney: “Former Bordentown Township Police Chief Frank Nucera Jr. will be released from prison after a federal judge on Wednesday gave him credit for time served after being convicted on charges he lied to the FBI. Nucera has served 13 months in the Federal Correctional Institution in Ashland, Ky., on a 28-month sentence for lying to the FBI about striking a handcuffed Black teenager during an arrest in 2016. An appeals court last month vacated that sentence and ordered U.S. District Court Judge Robert Kugler to reconsider guidelines. Nucera was already scheduled to be released Sept. 5 to home confinement with electronic monitoring, the judge said.” —“Sussex Democratic leader won’t run again” —“Widow says inadequate care led to husband's suicide in Cumberland County Jail” —“Wayne parents seek help for 'heartbreaking' bullying cases at middle school” —“Carifi-Kandil-McGrath zings opposing ticket, Citing ELEC violations” —“Despite losing streak on the county level, Hudson Progressives optimistic about upcoming primary” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
CRIME — “New Jersey lawyer Matthew Nilo charged in connection with series of sexual assaults in Charlestown suspended from job,” by The Boston Globe’s Travis Andersen and Tonya Alanez: “Matthew James Nilo, a 35-year-old New Jersey lawyer arrested Tuesday in connection with four sexual assaults in Charlestown in 2007 and 2008 has been suspended from his job at a cyber insurance company in New York, the firm said Wednesday. According to his LinkedIn page, Nilo worked as a cyber claims counsel for Cowbell, which has offices in New York and several other cities. … A dozen law enforcement officials from the FBI and Boston police arrested Nilo Tuesday at his apartment in Weehawken, N.J., according to court documents.”
—“Eagles and ospreys are resurgent. Here's the darker side of NJ's bird story” —“'Like milk': How one magazine became a mainstay of New Jersey's Chinese community”
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