| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Monday morning! I’ll begin with a mea culpa. After claiming that an Iranian drone “mothership” was responsible for the sightings around New Jersey — and then doubling down on it following the Pentagon’s quick dismissal — Rep. Jeff Van Drew in a Friday statement walked back his theory. In between sentences criticizing the federal response, Van Drew's written statement said: “While it has been verified that Iran does have three drone ships, new satellite images show they are currently stationed off the southern coast of Iran.” Oh. That’s probably as close as you’ll get to a mea culpa from the congressman, but I admit I regret my small role in bringing a false potentially panic-inducing claim further into the public discourse. My Thursday newsletter lede gave Van Drew’s theory too much credit, even if the bottom half of it was a bit skeptical. Looking back, I probably should have led with officials knocking down Van Drew’s claims. (In my defense, I did point out that satellite imagery showed Iran’s drone ship — we were talking about just one at the time — in the Persian Gulf). Anyway, Van Drew’s Friday walkback has gotten a tiny fraction of the coverage of the earlier statements he made on national news. But really, what is going on? Are drones invading New Jersey airspace? Or is this a mass hysteria event? I don’t know. But it’s likely that the drone sighting figures are vastly overblown. It’s easy to be mistaken. Sen. Any Kim seemed credulous when he posted his own video of alleged drones Friday morning. By Saturday afternoon, he concluded that what he saw were probably just airplanes. I haven’t seen these mysterious drones from my home in upstate New York, so I can’t just dismiss them. But the vast majority of the alleged drones I’ve seen on social media are obviously airplanes or helicopters. In some cases, you can even hear the jet engines. North Jersey is, after all, under the nation’s busiest airspace. And confirmation bias is a hell of a drug. But statements from Naval Weapons Station Earle and Picatinny Arsenal acknowledging drones in the airspace seem to contradict this, while there have been unexplained drone sightings around military facilities in other states before. Some of the sightings almost certainly been drones, which skeptical federal officials acknowledge. But with all the drone sightings, and the easy availability of consumer-grade drones (even I have one), how many of these are from copycat pilots, or people trying to capture footage of drones with their own drones? I don't know. I'm not sure anybody does. TIPS? FEEDBACK Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We started talking about something but that’s about it.” — Senate President Nick Scutari on ballot design progress. The Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design is scheduled to vote on its proposal today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Gordon Johnson, Amy DeGise, Matt Klapper, Rob Hermansen, Brian Bartlett WHERE’S MURPHY? In Trenton at 11:30 a.m. for his long-awaited clemency announcement
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SWAMPGASLIGHTING — “N.J. drone sightings rejected by the feds. Are they gaslighting us?,” by NJ Advance Media’s Adam Clarks: “After nearly a decade of Democratic officials seizing on the 30,000 lies told by Donald Trump, President Joe Biden’s administration is responsible for 'a textbook case of exactly how misinformation happens and disinformation happens,' said Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. 'When people don’t know what to believe, they don’t believe anything,' Rasmussen said, 'and that’s a dangerous position for us to be in.'This week, the federal government has managed to do the seemingly impossible: bring together Jersey Republicans and Democrats in agreement. State Assemblyman Brian Bergen, R-Morris, says he witnessed a drone Thursday night from his back porch in Denville. The government’s response to what New Jerseyans can see with their own eyes is insulting and 'absolutely absurd,' he said. The lack of information provided by federal officials was “appalling,” added Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia.”
NEXT WEEK’S HEADLINE: ‘NUMEROUS CIVILIAN AND COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT MYSTERIOUSLY SHOT DOWN’ — Trump suggests shooting down aircraft above New Jersey as concerns continue, by POLITICO’s Sam Ogozalek and Oriana Pawlyk: President-elect Donald Trump on Friday suggested that officials shoot down the aircraft hovering over homes in New Jersey that have spooked residents and sparked demands from lawmakers for answers. “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. … The FBI and DHS in a joint statement Thursday said that “it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully” adding that there is “no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey.” The agencies also said the reported sightings there do, however, “highlight the insufficiency of current authorities” related to who can take them down.” —“Man arrested for shooting gun toward sky near N.J. university, cops say”
| | | | Billions in spending. Critical foreign aid. Immigration reform. The final weeks of 2024 could bring major policy changes. Inside Congress provides daily insights into how Congressional leaders are navigating these high-stakes issues. Subscribe today. | | | | | SALEM DRONE TRIALS — “Van Drew says drones seen hovering near the Salem County nuclear plants,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s : “U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has backed away from claims that the drones that have been spotted in New Jersey over the past month are coming from an Iranian “mothership” off the coast. Van Drew, R-2nd, said in a statement Friday that Iran has three drone ships and that new satellite images show they are stationed off the southern coast of Iran. … Later Friday, Van Drew said two drones the size of small sport utility vehicles were seen flying near the Salem County nuclear plants. In response, PSEG has requested airspace restrictions.” —“Homeland Security chief says feds have sent resources to NJ to help with drone sightings” —“Most reported drone sightings in NJ unfounded, FBI says” —“After weeks of drone sightings, New Jersey remains on edge” —“Bipartisan anger as drone confusion continues” —“Kean snags seat on Energy and Commerce Committee” —“Donald Trump humiliates Chris Christie as NJ and NYC drone theories fly” —“Chris Christie says he saw drone above his home amid reports of strange lights in NJ, other states” PARKS AND REPETITION — “Park says she’s prepared for primary against challenger with same last name,” by New Jersey Globe's Zach Blackburn: Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D-Englewood Cliffs) is seeking re-election, and she faces a challenge that appears to be unique among Assembly candidates next year: how to separate oneself from an opponent with the same last name. Park and her running mate, Assemblywoman Shama Haider (D-Tenafly), are both seeking third terms next year, but they face a primary challenge from two Steven Fulop-backed candidates, including Tenafly Councilman Dan Park. Assemblywoman Park said she believes her strong record will help her cross the finish line. ‘I’ve been doing this for three, four years, and I feel like I’ve passed a lot of great legislation,’ she told the New Jersey Globe.” —“Taxpayers paid $121M to settle 350+ lawsuits against New Jersey in 2023”
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WHAT ABOUT BOB? — Judge declines to toss Menendez verdicts, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: A federal judge on Friday rejected former Sen. Bob Menendez’s long-shot attempt to have all the corruption convictions against him thrown out. Menendez resigned from the Senate this summer after jurors found the New Jersey Democrat guilty of bribery, acting as a foreign agent, obstruction of justice, extortion and conspiring to commit those crimes. However, U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein did toss a count he found duplicative. Stein’s 78-page order also did not address a separate request Menendez made for a new trial last month, after prosecutors revealed they’d inadvertently given jurors access to evidence they should not have seen. It’s unclear how the judge will handle Menendez’s request for a new trial because of that mistake by prosecutors, which was discovered only months after the trial ended. Instead, Stein’s order Friday was responding to an August request by Menendez’s legal team that asked the judge to reverse the results of a corruption trial over which he presided. The chances of that happening were vanishingly slim. “The jury's guilty verdicts were readily supported by the extensive witness testimony and extensive documentary evidence admitted at trial, and there is no manifest injustice requiring a new trial,” Stein ruled.
—Sherrill, Gottheimer face criticism for supporting defense bill that targets gender-affirming care”
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Learn how global sales by New Jersey-based businesses are supporting the local economy in our state. | | | | | LOCAL | |
I ONCE GOT BRIBEY IN A BURGER KING BATHROOM — “After Garcia’s sentencing postponed, Newark businessman admits to bribing him,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “A Newark businessman pleaded guilty to bribing former Deputy Mayor Carmelo Garcia, also former Hoboken assemblyman, shortly after his sentencing was postponed by several months. Frank Valvano, Jr., 57, of Florham Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with honest services fraud and bribery, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced [Friday] morning … Valvano admitted bribing Garcia – who served as deputy mayor and director of the Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development (DEHD) and executive vice president and chief real estate officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) – in exchange for his assistance with the acquisition and redevelopment of city-owned property, according to court documents. … In one instance, in June 2018, Valvano and Sablosky, through an intermediary, supplied Garcia [with] 25,000 in cash as part of the stream of bribes provided to Garcia in the restroom of a restaurant.”
TO PROTECT AND SERVE EACH OTHER — “3 N.J. cops indicted on charges they failed to arrest NYPD officer in beating case,” by NJ Advance Media’s Richard Cowen: “Three Paterson police officers are accused of official misconduct for allegedly letting a New York Police Department captain off the hook after they responded to a domestic violence call in which a woman was found bruised and bleeding in a car. Paterson cops Justin Schmid, Guiseppe Ciarla and Juan Cruz-Fernandez have been indicted on charges of official misconduct, conspiracy to commit official misconduct, and hindering apprehension … Police arrived and found Hariton Marachilian, then 45, with a woman in the vehicle, her face battered and bloody … In body-worn camera footage, Marachilian is initially uncooperative, telling the Paterson cops they ‘were going to (expletive) up careers’ if they continued the investigation. The prosecutor’s office contends that the Paterson cops were willing to comply. … On the audio, one officer is heard addressing Marachilian as “brother,” then advises him to ‘shh,’ — meaning keep quiet — when Marachilian offers that he and the woman were merely involved in a “verbal dispute” over a dinner bill, according to the affidavit. The prosecution contends the blood and bruises on the woman’s face suggest otherwise.”
| | | | Write your own chapter in the new Washington. From the Lame Duck Congress Series to New Administration insights, POLITICO Pro delivers intelligence across 22+ policy areas to help you anticipate and navigate change. Discover how a Pro subscription empowers you. Learn more today. | | | | | FRIENDS WITH HEALTH BENEFITS — “It’s a school district known for political patronage. What happens when there’s an alleged illicit affair too?” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “The Hudson County Schools of Technology administrative offices have also long been a place where North Bergen politicians help their friends get jobs … Now, within a week of the board secretary suing the superintendent he says he dated secretly for nearly two decades, both have been suspended, leaving two prized seats open to the whims of those rarely shy to engage in political patronage. And what happens next will likely show just how much influence North Bergen has ― or how much it has lost ― in the blood sport of Hudson County politics. Front and center in the drama are Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) Superintendent Amy Lin-Rodriguez and Board Secretary Joseph Muniz, who were officially suspended Thursday through a Board of Education vote. What preceded that, Muniz alleges, was an 18-year adulterous affair followed by months of verbal abuse from Lin-Rodriguez at work after they ended the relationship in April … Patronage in the school district is a long-documented practice. The employee roster reads like a who’s who of Hudson County politics. Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt is the facilities director at two campuses. A transportation official also happens to be a commissioner for the North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority. Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise, daughter of longtime county executive Tom DeGise, works at County Prep in Jersey City ― she was an HCST employee before an elected official.” SECRET DEAL — ”Deal used 'shadow government' to buy beach screener, NJ says; Borough leaders fight back,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Dan Radel: “The New Jersey Local Finance Board has found that two current Deal commissioners and one former one violated state ethic laws when they used a "de facto shadow government" to buy a beach screener for the town through a nonprofit in 2017. The state board fined the three officials $700 each, concluding that they violated the state's Local Government Ethics Law and bypassed the public procurement process to make the purchase by using funds raised through a nonprofit called the Deal Endowment Fund, instead of engaging the public at an open meeting and holding a public vote. The three officials — Mayor Samuel Cohen, Commissioner David Simhon and former Commissioner Morris Ades — are appealing the case” CHERRY HILL — “As Cherry Hill veterinarian’s slaying leaves a community shaken, few details of the investigation have emerged,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Rodrigo Torrejon: “As family and friends mourn the death of Michael Anthony, who was found slain outside his Cherry Hill home earlier this week, authorities have released few details about a crime they have labeled a homicide. Anthony, 45, a veterinarian with a practice in Haddon Heights, was pronounced dead Tuesday morning on the 100 block of Sharrowvale Road, authorities said. Cherry Hill police have said little about the crime, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, which is leading the murder investigation, has not disclosed even the most basic information. They have not said how Anthony was killed. They have not said whether authorities have recovered a weapon or whether they have identified a suspect, made any arrests, or established a motive for the slaying. Nor have they said whether authorities believe the crime was a targeted attack or whether there might be a danger to the public.” —“First transgender woman elected to a NJ school board announces run for Dover council” —“Newark traffic control officer dies after getting struck by off-duty cop’s vehicle” —“Atlantic City Housing Authority consultant tells judge heating system fix coming in January” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
DRONE SIGHTING — “American Dream hit with second suit over decorative helicopter incident," by The Record's Daniel Munoz: "A second person is suing American Dream in the Meadowlands over an incident when a decorative helicopter fell from the ceiling at the mall’s indoor water park last year. Olwin Seguinot of Roslindale, Massachusetts, alleges that when the helicopter dropped into the pool below in February 2023, it caused Seguinot to fall and sustain several injuries."
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