Posted on 02/12/2007 7:24:37 AM PST by Calpernia
U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and state lawmakers are locked in a secret legal battle over his attempts to launch a wide-ranging investigation of the New Jersey Legislature.
(snip)
The Legislature's awarding of millions in state grants with little oversight has been drawing increasing attention. This type of spending -- known in New Jersey as "Christmas tree items" -- more than doubled in the past five years, to nearly $350 million. (snip)
The subpoena grew out of a criminal probe of Sen. Wayne Bryant (D-Camden), one of the Legislature's most influential members and former chairman of the powerful Senate budget committee.
A federal monitor has accused Bryant of taking a no-show job from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in exchange for funneling at least $12.5 million in public funding to the state institution. (snip)
COURT ORDER SOUGHT
As part of the federal investigation into Bryant, subpoenas were served in October on the Office of Legislative Services (OLS), the state Senate and the state Treasury Department, attorneys for the Senate Democrats confirmed at the time.
The subpoenas served on the Senate and the Treasury Department sought budget-related documents, which were soon produced. However the demand for documents from the OLS was not limited to Bryant, according to legislative sources, but requested any pertaining to conflicts of interest for lawmakers and staffers.
(snip)
"I think most subpoenas for legislative documents are usually for individuals," said Rosenthal, a professor of public policy at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics. "I know of federal stings that have occurred in other states, but a blanket subpoena is unusual."
Public records show the Legislature has retained outside counsel to represent its interests in the matter.
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Christmas tree items PING
When the Justice Dept. can't even convict Wm. "Cold Cash" Jefferson (D-LA), don't expect them to get very far in cleaning out the corruption in NJ's government. They are professional crooks or they wouldn't have been elected to office.
Is the Jefferson investigation over?
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