| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by WorkingNJ | Good Monday morning! The Office of Public Integrity has had a rough record lately, with its case against a Lakewood rabbi falling apart embarrassingly and a lot of suggesting prosecutorial abuses, even if one of the most vocal of those attorneys is representing a defendant in the office’s most high-stakes case ever. But you may have missed over the weekend that the office just had a win. Former Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron pleaded guilty to fraudulently participating in the State Health Benefits Program, along with some other charges. Previous charges against Byron had been dismissed in 2023, but without prejudice. (Byron in 2023 also pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud, getting probation). This time, prosecutors are recommending three years in prison. The immediate political implications from this specific case don’t seem that big, even as current Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and Wildwood Commissioner Steven Mikulski await trial on their own charges. I think the bigger question is what happens to all the other officials who wrongfully took benefits — or compensation for unused benefits — that they weren’t entitled to. This has been written about extensively, most notable by NJ Advance Media. Of course every set of circumstances is different. One of the most famous controversies related to this involves a candidate for governor who has tens of millions behind his campaign. How likely is it Wildwood is the only place where something criminal happened? TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Nina Catrambone QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I said, ‘I don’t eat vegetables.’ I didn’t say, ‘Don’t eat vegetables.’ All the mothers are going to be killing me.” — 101-year-old Ann Bruff, whom a CBS News article quoted saying “Don't eat vegetables, they will kill you.” | | | | A message from WorkingNJ: Sean Spiller’s mom was a teacher, his dad worked at the Port Authority. As the son of immigrants, Sean Spiller knows real change and strong communities are worth fighting for. An educator, union leader, and former Montclair Mayor, he’s fought for fair pay, affordable housing, and quality education. He has a plan to make New Jersey stronger by building an economy that works for every New Jerseyan. Sean Spiller for Governor. Learn more about Sean. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
THE INFANTINOLIZATION OF NEW JERSEY — ”New Jersey's MetLife Stadium awarded 2025 Club World Cup final,” by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle: “FIFA announced the 12 venues that will host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday, with MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hosting the final July 13. The tournament will begin June 15 … Football is the most popular sport on the planet, and in 2025 a new era for club football will kick off when FIFA stages the greatest, most inclusive and merit-based global club competition right here in the United States," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino … FIFA has faced backlash from other entities in soccer for the organization of this tournament, including FIFPRO and the Professional Footballers' Association in England, as many raise concerns over schedule congestion and an increase in games. The Premier League, in particular, questioned the timing of the tournament during the summer window, a time frame normally used for international windows, sources told ESPN.”
ONE IS THE LONELIEST LUGER THAT YOU’LL EVER SHOOT — “Gun coalition targets New Jersey’s one-gun-a-month law in new lawsuit,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 declared a constitutional right to carry, gun-rights advocates have targeted New Jersey’s famously tough gun laws, challenging one after the other in court, from its assault weapon ban to a prohibition on guns in sensitive places to a law that allows the state to sue gun makers as a public nuisance. Thursday, they sued again, taking aim this time at a state law barring gun owners from buying more than one firearm a month. ‘This case presents a simple question of law. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms" — plural — which shall not be infringed,’ attorney Bradley P. Lehman wrote in a federal complaint.” CANCER CULTURE — “NJ state senator, teen share childhood cancer challenges with nation,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: “New Jersey State Sen. Anthony Bucco's life journey has carried him past childhood cancer to the Statehouse, and now to the White House. Having survived thyroid cancer diagnosed at age 8 — and still coping with the serious after-effects of early-generation radiation treatments — Bucco, 62, has studiously avoided playing the cancer sympathy card to win elections, first to the Assembly, and then to the Senate. But after learning that most states — including New Jersey — committed little in the way of money to fund childhood cancer research, he decided to use his podium so a future generation ‘of kids and families don't have to go through what I went through.’ In recent years, he's engaged with several government and nonprofit groups focused on childhood cancer research, leading to an invitation to speak at a ‘Biden Cancer Moonshot’ roundtable event on Sept. 20 at the White House. Bucco, who serves as the Senate Republican Minority leader, did not hesitate to cross party lines to address a topic he knows all too well.” — “South Jersey economic initiatives threatened by pushback, lawmakers at Atlantic City conference say” — “NJDEP reveals additional $7.3M for Liberty State Park revitalization at open house” — “New Jersey’s new affordable housing rules will soon take effect. Here’s what’s next” | | BIDEN TIME | |
— Moran: “A prediction: George Norcross will beat the corruption charges”
— “George Helmy worked for senators. Now he is one (for a little while)” — “Altman jabs at Kean’s ‘political courage’ again in third town hall” | | | | A message from WorkingNJ:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
IF ONLY THERE WAS SOMETHING THE OWNER COULD DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM — “Iconic Paterson diner Mr. G's, reopened 6 weeks ago, closing over name dispute,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “The new owners of the Mr. G’s diner, which reopened six weeks ago to praise from numerous politicians, announced they will shut down on Sunday, citing a lawsuit accusing them of stealing the iconic restaurant’s name. ‘Litigation over the name of our diner has presented significant operational challenges, which unfortunately prevented our vision for Mr. G’s Diner from coming to fruition,’ the owners said in a statement issued Wednesday. ‘If we do re-open, it will be under a new name.’ The property also has pending violations issued by city inspectors accusing the new owners of not getting requisite municipal permits. On top of that, some people said the diner’s new menu was far pricier than the original one, and there have been complaints about the quality of the food.”
FOR THE LOVE OF PETE — “Former Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron pleads guilty in health benefits case,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s John O’Connor: “Former Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron admitted accepting state health benefits he wasn’t entitled to Friday. Byron, 69, pleaded guilty to theft in front of Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury. He faces up to 16½ years in prison and is barred from holding public employment again. Byron also must pay restitution and cooperate with the state Attorney General’s Office in the prosecution of his codefendants, Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. and City Commissioner Steve Mikulski, as part of the plea agreement. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 17, but that could change depending on court proceedings involving Troiano and Mikulski. Deputy Attorney Generals Brian Uzdavinis and Niccole L. Sandora agreed to treat Byron as a third-degree offender and recommended a sentence of three years in prison.” IN JERSEY CITY IT’S CALLED GERRYMCCANDERING — “New Jersey Supreme Court agrees to hear Jersey City gerrymandering case,” by Jersey City Times’ Aaron Morrill: “The New Jersey Supreme Court has handed a major win to Ward F Councilman Frank Gilmore and a coalition of 18 Jersey City organizations in their effort to undo a controversial ward map enacted in 2022, agreeing to hear their appeal from an intermediate appellate court decision earlier this year. The map, adopted by the the Jersey City Ward Commission despite an outpouring of public opposition, removed from Ward F a large portion of the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, all of Liberty State Park, and several high-profile developments and placed them in Ward A, which is represented by Councilwoman Denise Ridley, a close ally of Mayor Steven Fulop. According to the plaintiffs, the new Ward F map was designed to strip Gilmore of power over several high-profile developments and to retaliate against him for defeating a member of Fulop’s slate in the 2021 election.” SHOCK AND AWE — “N.J. councilman slapped away phone from man taking videos in park, police say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “An East Orange councilman has been charged with harassment after he allegedly knocked a cellphone out of the hands of a man shooting videos in an Essex County park, according to police. Christopher Awe, 40, was issued a summons for harassment/improper touching and threatening following an incident last week in Veterans Memorial Park in Newark, according to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Awe was released with a date to appear in Newark Municipal Court. ‘I asked him to stop several times,’ Awe said Thursday. ‘This is a gentleman who harasses people, he records women as they’re walking by.’ In an interview Thursday with NJ Advance Media, the victim denied recording or harassing people in the park and said he had never taken video in the area prior to the incident with Awe.” AREN’T THERE ENOUGH ORANGES IN NJ? — “Married N.J. school leaders making nearly $600K actually live in Florida,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matthew Stanmyre: “A wife-and-husband team making nearly $600,000 in combined total compensation running a small, publicly funded charter school in Newark do not appear to live full-time in New Jersey and actually reside in Florida, an NJ Advance Media investigation has found. The arrangement is believed to violate the New Jersey First Act, which requires public employees to live in-state, including public school teachers and administrators … Teresa Segarra, the superintendent of Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School, and her husband, Jose Segarra, the school business administrator, live in Coral Gables, Florida, according to housing and voting records and two sources familiar with the inner workings of the institution … The Segarras, who are among the highest-paid educators in New Jersey, only make a few in-person visits to the school during the year, one source said." UNFULFILLING — “What is next for the redevelopment of Atlantic City Race Course?” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Nicholas Huba: “Could a fulfillment center be part of the redevelopment of Atlantic City Race Course? The Township Committee has approved an amended redevelopment agreement with potential owners Patriot Equities to include a fulfillment center as part of the allowed uses for the more than 250-acre site. Fulfillment centers are warehouses that pack and ship goods to customers.” THEY PROMISED TO FEATURE ARTISTS FROM BAYONNE BUT THEY DIDN’T SAY WHICH BAYONNE — “Centre Pompidou curators lay out their vision for Jersey City location, and local artists are part of the plan,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “The Centre Pompidou x Jersey City will present an immersive and interactive experience that integrates local artists and voices into the mix of international art, performance, education and debate, curators with the Parisian Centre Pompidou told The Jersey Journal Friday. ‘The Centre Pompidou ... is called the 'center' because it is a place where different disciplines and different people with different interests meet,’ said Charles Aubin, a Centre Pompidou curator … Aubin and fellow curator Anna Hiddleston-Galloni, in Jersey City for a public meeting last Saturday and Wednesday night’s vote on the tax abatement that provided the space for the satellite location, said there is no ‘one size fits all’ strategy for the Pompidou satellite locations.” — “Kill or keep the Centre Pompidou x Jersey City? 2025 mayoral candidates share their plans” — “Man threatens teacher with a knife in Paterson elementary school after dismissal” — “Former Paterson Healing Collective advocate gets 5 years in violent drug gang case” — “Toms River mayor picks new police chief after he fought with previous top cop” — Jeffrey Nash: “Let’s officially end all puppy mills in New Jersey” — “Police leadership retaliated against me for union role, suspended [Mount Olive] cop says in suit” | | | | A message from WorkingNJ: Sean Spiller’s mom was a teacher, his dad worked at the Port Authority. As the son of immigrants, Sean Spiller knows real change and strong communities are worth fighting for.
An educator, union leader, and former Montclair Mayor, he’s fought for fair pay, affordable housing, and quality education. He has a plan to make New Jersey stronger by building an economy that works for every New Jerseyan.
Sean Spiller for Governor.
Learn more about Sean. | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
CHRIST HOSPITAL — “Future of CarePoint hospitals in the hands of Insight and Hudson Regional Hospital: Insight founder,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “Insight, a Michigan-based healthcare group, intends to take over and operate Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC) while Hudson Regional Hospital plans to do the same for Bayonne Medical Center, Insight founder Dr. Jawad Shah told The Jersey Journal. The plan marks a stunning transition for a trio of hospitals that for months have been in limbo as operator CarePoint Health has faced debt so severe that employees have experienced delays in pay and was placed under the watch of a state-appointed financial monitor. Insight is an Islamic faith-based healthcare system, which would be a first for a hospital in the New York Metro region. It has a history of rescuing financially failing hospitals and Shah described a particular interest in those that serve low-income patients.”
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH ICK — “Filthy river called ‘N.J.’s biggest crime scene’ may finally get cleanup,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “Regulators with the Environmental Protection Agency say progress is now being made on addressing the toxic Passaic River and nearby contaminated sites — including a factory that once produced the defoliant Agent Orange — which have been on the federal Superfund Site list since 1984. An expansive cleanup of the area will be multi-pronged, complicated and expensive. Members of the public, some of which joined a recent meeting to voice feedback on remediation plans, can make written comments from now to Nov. 12 on a series of proposals to clean up the toxic Diamond Alkali site portion. Work on the other sections is ongoing.” THERE ARE OTHER FISH IN THE SEA — “The most important fish on the Jersey Shore is under siege, N.J. groups claim,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “On the first day of Fall, Captain Paul Eidman was where he’s usually found — fishing. This time from Sayreville. But the recreational fisherman, shore guide and conservationist also ventures out of Shark River, Manasquan and Sandy Hook. ‘I go all over the place because I have to find the fish,’ Eidman told NJ Advance Media this week. 'The bad news is that there’s very few bunker in the mid-Atlantic region right now.’ Anglers from Montauk to Cape May are also telling Eidman the fish, also known as Atlantic menhaden or pogy, are harder to find and the adult fish appear smaller. They blame massive industrial fishing vessels off the Jersey Shore, traveling from other states to capture their catch in vast quantities.” THE PSYCHIC FRIENDS STREET NETWORK — “Dionne Warwick is getting her own street in N.J. Will you walk on by?” by NJ Advance Media’s Amy Kuperinsky: “Dionne Warwick is just weeks away from being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But before then, she’ll accept another honor. East Orange is renaming a street for her to celebrate her upbringing in the city. Warwick’s name is coming to North Arlington Avenue. ‘Can you imagine?’ Warwick, 83, said in a video sharing the news.” THE SHERIDANS — “Ten Years of Enduring Mystery: What Killed the Sheridans?” by Alex Zdan for New Jersey Globe: “Through the last ten years, no evidence has emerged linking George Norcross to the Sheridan deaths. Was there a great deal of tension between the Norcross orbit and John Sheridan in the spring and summer of 2014? Yes, without question. Were hundreds of millions of dollars in valuable investments and tens of millions in tax credits at stake? Absolutely. Did Joyce Sheridan, perhaps simply with acid wit, perhaps with true fear, say to her family ‘if anything happens to us, Norcross did it?’ Yes, her brother told me that himself.” — “A roseate spoonbill in Monmouth County? Why are southern birds traveling to NJ?” | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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