Fresh research on Bob Menendez: You decide

“They destroyed me when I quit donating.” Frances Metallo, Jersey City math teacher.

Foreword: The depths to which a trapped crooked New Jersey Democrat will sink truly know no limits. The contempt Robert Menendez has for the voters of New Jersey is transparent. He has just put up a TV spot attacking Tom Kean jr. for being connected to Robert Janiszewski the former Hudson County Executive and federally convicted bagman.

This “connection” is alleged because Janiszewski has written to Kean from prison offering to help Kean develop a crystal clear picture of who Menedez actually was/is and always has been.

This attack on Kean was the final straw for me. It is like saying a cop who makes lots of arrests is dirty because “he has been dealing with known felons”. This made me angry so I decided to post this material.

Is appointed Senator Bob Menendez the king of the Northern New Jersey Democratic Party’s “Pay to Play Business as Usual” money making scheme?

N.B. The collection of data for this piece ended in the Spring of 2004 because the candidate that ordered this research ran out of money. I agreed to take what he offered with the proviso that I retain ownership of the material.

I think a review of the data, shows that there are some interesting notations Menendez’s campaign finance filings, starting from his very first campaign in 1992. You decide.

Having come fresh from his tenure as, first a member of the Union City Board of Education, then as the town’s mayor ( 1986 to 1992 ), Mr. Menendez received a certain amount of donations from Union City employees.

These donations, in and of themselves, are admittedly unremarkable. Nevertheless, what does seem significant about these donations is the patterns they reveal, such as the high concentration of donations coming from employees Union City in general and the Union City Board of Education in particular. Surrounding Hudson County Democrat controlled towns were involved as well.

Nevertheless, Union City teachers seem to have been very much “over represented” among those who supported Menendez in his first campaign.

Of the 76 Union City employees listed, 41 were Board of Education employees. Interesting but not earth shaking.

Yet a closer look shows that 20 of the 41 Board of Education employees gave exactly the same amount - $300.00.

They gave these donations during the final weeks of the 1992 school year. The rest of the donations ranged from $500.00 ( just one ) to $2000, with the largest number being $1000. 00.

Maybe the 20 donors who all gave exactly $300.00 did so coincidentally. Maybe they were just interested in good government, but maybe they were donating on instructions from union representatives, or someone else. You decide.

Others, however, have given Mr. Menendez donations in multiple campaign cycles over and over after that first race.

R. C. 1992 $1250.00 1994 $ 1000.00 1996 750.00 1998 –0- 2000 $450.00: was a teacher now a principal

C. V. 1992 $ 300.00 1994 $500.00 1996 $500.00 1998 $ 500.00 2000 $500.00 no occupational data supplied

R. H. 1992 $2000.00 1994 $500.00 1996 $250.00 2002 $2000.00 Was a teacher, now a principal

J. M. 1996 $ 1000.00 1998 $4250.00 2000 $2000.00, 2002 $4000.00 no occupational data supplied

V. C. 1992 $1000.00 1994 $1500.00 1996 $1750.00 – 2000 $ 2000.00 2002 $ 3500.00 now the Housing Authority’s Executive Director

B. B. ( later identified as a P.D. employee ) 1992 $ 1000.00 2002 $500.00 2004 $ 1000.00 now a captain

Cui bono ( Latin for “who benefits?) is the central question of this investigation.

The data also shows that several civil servants from other local governments made donations to Mr. Menendez. Those 1992 donations were as follows.

O. M. Bd of Ed. $300.00 No occupation data except Bd. Of Ed. But there’s that $300.00 figure again

Abraham Autun accountant $1000.00 Became the acting Hudson County Executive when the old H.C. Executive Robert Janiszewski] left under federal indictment and an eventual prison sentence.

R. F. vice prin. Bd of Ed $1000.00 gave $500.00, in 1998, gave $800.00 in 1994 gave $ 2000.00 in 1992

Note that in some cases the desired effect may have been achieved with one or two large donations while others gave continually as they climbed the ranks of their particular departments.

If fact there is a pay for play scheme that runs through Mr. Menendez’s campaign donations it should show itself again. Is there a scheme to Senator Menendez’s donations? Review this list and: You decide.

Question : What could explain the decreasing number of civil servants who have contributed to Menendez campaigns over the years? Read this data: You decide.

Why the construction industry donates to campaigns varies widely. I am sure some do so for reasons of what they see as “good government”. You decide.

Others, I’m sure make their contributions for personal gains. No one can know for sure why these people made their donations. We can only ask the question that the facts suggest: “If they were donating to achieve an unwritten “quid pro quo”, would they donate any differently?”

Would there be so many Union City Board of Education employees donating exactly the same amount in 1992, if there were no expectations of a return for the money? Cui bono? You decide.

Menendez campaign filings seem to suggest that the construction industry has taken the place of the civil servants. In both the number of construction industry donors and the amount they gave, this new source of funds seems to be the preferred partners in the Northern New Jersey Democratic Party’s Pay to Play Business as Usual program.

2004 210 * $469,550.00 ( For reasons explained already this study ended in May 2004)

N.B. With more than six months to the 2004 election, ( when this review ends ) Mr. Menendez, who has averaged 73% of the vote in his six consecutive election victories, recieved MORE money from far fewer construction companies.

If there is a “cause and effect” linkage between donations and influence, the price seems to have gone up.

In the 2002 cycle the average donation was $1435.00. During the last current cycle, which was reviewed, 2004 however, the average ‘price’, if that is what it truly is, seems to have risen substantially (by more than 55%) to $2235.00. You decide.

In 1992 when a congressional seat opened in Hudson County, then Union City Mayor Robert Menendez, got the backing of the county’s Democratic machine to run for congress.

As in any political campaign, funding would be important, but unlike most other campaigns, Bob’s would have little in the way of money worries. As mayor of the town of 57,000, Menendez had an army of civil servants to rely upon. As mayor, Bob might have found ways to pressure his employees for money and campaign work, in return for promotions and/or plumb assignments within their various agencies. Maybe he did maybe he didn’t. You decide.

In either case Menendez always had “The Alliance” to back him, and back him they did.

The whole scheme rested on the smooth pay – to – play operation carried out by The Alliance Civic Association, known simply as “The Alliance” to the employees of Bob Menendez’s fiefdom – Union City.

“The Alliance usually holds two fund raising dinners annually, one costing $1000.00 per person and the other $125.00. Employees said in interviews that the city’s 1800 workers are pressured to sell tickets for the functions and attend.

“Portraying itself as a reform slate [ after the previous mayor had been jailed for corruption] The Alliance took control of the city commission in 1986 when candidates led by Robert Menendez, who is now a congressman, were elected.

“While the most politically active employees are rewarded with desirable assignments and promotions, any employees who refuse to support The Alliance are treated by superiors as malcontents and sometimes harassed openly..”

Menendez who served as mayor for six years used The Alliance as his political base as he was elected assemblyman, state senator and finally congressman.” Star-Ledger 03/29/98

The question of why so many Union City teachers would contribute, in a manner that so strongly suggests that there was an orderly scheme to the process, becomes less puzzling with the public statements of one of the teachers involved.

By her own description, Frances Metallo had a very nice life as a math teacher working with intellectually gifted students in the Union City Board of Education. Her happy little world came crashing down around her, however, when she refused to contribute to The Alliance any longer.

“They destroyed me when I quit donating”, is the way Ms. Metallo told her story.

“A Jersey City woman is suing the Union City Board of Education, one of its administrators and the teacher’s union for allegedly destroying her career as a math teacher and causing her physical and emotional distress… [ when she stopped donating to the Hudson County Democratic Party].

“[Ms. Metallo said] She occasionally would make financial contributions or otherwise to political campaigns in Union City when requested – something she said is frequently asked of teachers.”

“[When Ms. Metallo was… ] told that the donations were necessary for her advancement within the school district, she stopped.”

“Continuing in her charges, she added “Contributions are between $150.00 and $1000.00. I was told if I wanted tenure I’d better contribute.”

After she stopped contributing, an incident that Ms. Metallo claims was trumped up, the award winning published author, was shipped to a less desirable school to work with less motivated students, in very poorly heated classrooms. The later being the basis for her claims of physical distress.

“Promotions and assignments in the Union City school system, the city’s largest employer with 1223 workers, follows the same pattern according to court records and interviews with seven [ additional ] longtime teachers.”

“It was quite obvious, the people who brought the [Alliance] tickets and got involved [ in doing campaign work] were the ones who got the promotions. I never played the game, said Louis Romano a twenty seven year teacher.

“As long ago as November 1988 [referring to a time when Robert Menendez was the mayor]… The Alliance already controlled the Commission and the school Board, the state Department of Education issued a report that sharply criticized political interference in the Union City schools.”

“[The report said in part], The influence of politics on district operations is so deeply rooted that it has become part of the district’s culture. In interviews, employees spoke matter of factly about the need to be politically ‘corrected’ in order to be promoted.”

Incredibly, this rebuke had no effect on the scheme’s operators. The article noted the following.

“A few months after that report, The Alliance mailed fund raising tickets to teachers’ homes prompting a warning from the Education Department that teacher’s home addresses are supposed to be kept confidential”

Is there any more evidence to suggest that the allegations that Union City workers have to “pay – to – play” are true? You decide.

The Star Ledger story seems to say “yes”, as it confirmed the general out line of Ms. Metallo’s charges.

“The cops who hold the best jobs in Union City’s Police Department are also the ones who gave the most money to the local political machine.”

“A computer analysis …. Showed that [Union City] employees were the source of 70 percent of the $547,000 that The Alliance Civic Association, the city’s Democratic political organization collected from individuals over a five year period [ 1993 through 1998 inclusive].

This analysis hits at exactly the time frame during which Robert Menendez was raising from a small town’s mayor to a U.S. congressman. The data developed by this analysis, suggests either that in 1992, during Menendez’s first campaign for the House the scheme was in place or that things only went crooked in Hudson County starting in 1993. You decide.

“In interviews, a wide range of city employees told the Star Ledger that they were pressured by superiors to give time or money to the local political organization if they want to advance their careers.”

“You’re either with them or against them. Said Joseph Blaettler,[ a thirteen year veteran of the Police Department who contributed $300.00 to Menendez’s 1992 campaign]. He continued, ‘ If you want to contribute and play their game, then you can show up and play police officer. If you don’t support them then you can’t do your job.”

“As a 14 year veteran of the Union City police, I would like to thank you for your article and I am one of those officers you describe as being branded a ‘malcontent’ because I refused to…… buy my position.

“The practice has continued for so long that many officers don’t know any other way and don’t see themselves as the victims of political extortion that they are.”

(s) John S. Hughes Star Ledger 04/15/98 The Star Ledger analysis would tend to support Officer Blaettler. The story pointed out the following.

“..the police department’s detective division [ the best assignment in the eyes of most police officers] gave [The Alliance] ‘…an average of $797.00 per person…. [by contrast ] the officers on the daytime patrol shift [ the just let me stay out of trouble, do my time, and retire officers] ‘gave $399.00 per person.”

“…. The officers on the 4x12 shift gave less and the officers on the midnight shift gave still less, [ they averaged $137.00].”

Those who gave the least, work the least desirable midnight shift. Is this coincidence? You decide.

When asked for a comment on these numbers, Union City Police Chief Paul Hanak [ who donated $1000.00 to Menendez’s 1992 campaign] insisted he “.. knows of no instance in which police officers were pressured to make political contributions and that he has never heard such complaints.”

Several anonymous Union City Police Officers, however, spoke to the contrary. One said that a majority of people in the 175 member department “ …..try to advance their careers by supporting The Alliance..”

N.B. The story points out that “ Contribution records show[ that many members of the Union City Police Department] give as much as $2500.00 annually”

Union City’s mayor at the time of this article’s publication in 1998 was Rudy Garcia. When ask why the high percentage of The Alliance finances came from Union City employees, he said “ … because they are grateful that the organization rescued the city from the corruption of the Musto [ the former mayor who was so corrupt that he was sent to prison] years.”

“[Garcia continued that] …. Since I have been mayor, [ starting in 1993 when Menendez went to Congress] I have had no involvement with assignments of police officers. I have met with police officers individually and told them that politics is not going to play a role in hiring or promotions.”

Thus Garcia set up two straw man allegations. There was no allegation that the mayor himself made up police work assignments nor was there one that officers had come to Garcia personally to express concerns of unfairness in assignment policies within the Police Department. Why would he answer the way he did? You decide.

There was at least one person willing to speak openly and make charges of a pay to play scheme in the Union City Police Department. Brian Stack, the only non Alliance backed member of the city’s commission, who was elected on a platform of reform “… especially the police department.”

He said “Politics has played a big role in the police department. There are police officers who go and sell tickets [to Alliance fund raiser dinners] sometimes to other police officers. They’re told to walk,[ door to door campaigning], they’re told to get involved, they’re told to go out and be out there on Election Day.”

How much pressure is on Union City’s Police Officers to contribute? You decide.

A case cited in the same article, told of Union City Police Lieutenant Maurice Ryan, accused of bribe receiving to protect a video poke machine operation. In the course of the investigation Ryan was “ ..recorded saying that he was furthering his career by using some of the bribe money to make political contributions”.

“On March 25, 1996, an organized crime figure gave Ryan $2000.00 after Ryan said he needed it for political contributions….”

The Star Ledger’s investigation revealed that “… just a few weeks later, during the week of April 21, Ryan and his wife Eunice each made separate $1000.00 donations to the Union City Democratic organization, part of $9000.00 the couple gave to the committee between 1993 and 1997”.

The Star Ledger’s final comments on political influences in the Union City Police Department were telling.

“ Union City police officers said experienced officers who are not Alliance supporters are rarely given important investigative assignments, and they described other politically motivated assignments. “ seven of the department’s most politically active officers are assigned to the traffic division in which their only task is to identify abandoned cars and contact private tow truck operators to remove them from the 1.27 square mile city. Fund raising records show five of those officers have given money to The Alliance.

“The indictment [ alleges that ] Abreu extorted money to protect an illegal gambling operation……”

“Records show he [Abreu] is also a significant contributor and fund raiser for numerous Democrats including former Sen. Robert G. Torricelli and Rep. Robert Menendez, D Hoboken.”

“Abreu ……… a mortgage broker and real estate developer …… active in North Jersey politics for the past decade ….. has raised money for U.S. Sen. Robert G. Torricelli, Rep. Robert Menendez…..”

A former West New York police officer’s story alleges the following. You decide.

“[Richie ] Rivera, and two former firefighters said, in separate interviews that some officers and firefighters regularly sold tickets to political events that benefited [ The West New York Municipal Democratic Committee]”

N. B. The WNYMDC is the equivalent of Union City’s The Alliance Civic Association. Both are based in Hudson County.

“They [ Rivera and the firefighters] said other tickets – up to $500 each – were sold from the mayor’s office in town hall.

“A WNYMDC fund raising document obtained by Gannett New Jersey indicates that the committee kept track of firefighter names, the ticket numbers they purchased, the price paid for each ticket and a comment section. Some of the written comments include ‘ All he could afford/check overtime and daily acting capacity, ‘Emphatic No because he earns his money and it’s staying in his pocket’ and ‘Sour grapes’”.

“When completed, the list was forwarded to Rene Abreu, a top [Abio] Sires aide and fund raiser, according to two sources.”

“Abreu is on trial in U. S. District Court in Newark on separate charges of mortgage fraud and accepting corrupt payments from West New York’s former police chief…”

“ Rivera said in a recent interview that on numerous occasions he witnessed police officers and other municipal workers selling Sires political tickets to businesses while on duty. He also said officers would sell tickets to reputed Cuban organized crime members, take the tickets back, pocket the cash and resell the tickets..”

Is Bob Menendez really the boss of Hudson County’s Democratic machine or just your friendly local congressman? You decide

In naming Kay LiCausi, ( a very close friend of Bob’s – she reportedly lives in the same Hoboken building as Bob), one of it’s ‘New Jersey’s Best Hired Guns, PoliticsNJ. Com commented “ .. Ms. Li Causi [ must be credited with] ….. making her former boss, U.S. Reps. Robert Menendez the boss of Hudson County politics.”

The site went on to discuss a construction site at 1600 Park Avenue in Hoboken. It told of the resolution of a zoning problem the builder, Sanford Weiss of Manhattan Building Co. was having. The Hoboken City Council fixed Mr. Weiss’s problem.

“The council voted 5 to 4 to … declare 1600 Park Avenue a redevelopment zone…. The four members of the city council [ who voted no are not aligned with the mayor, who is supported by Menedez]”

Menendez’s 2004 campaign finance records show that Sanford Weiss contributed $1500.00 to Menendez and Joseph Caulfield who listed his employer as Manhattan Building Co., gave Menendez $2000.00.

Dr, Janet Larson, described as ‘an objector’ to the pay – to – play scheme for Hoboken observed “ … it looks like Mr. Weiss is now exerting his political influence to create legislation that favors his development plans.”

“Currently, Sanford Weiss is completing construction of his controversial 17 story Sky Club at 101 Marshall Drive. This 326 unit project is sited in the R3 zoning District which was limited to six story building heights at the time of its approval. The Hoboken Zoning Board granted the original owner, Rene Abreu, 14 variances from zoning regulations along the state’s roads despite regulations preventing them.”

“In 2001 [ Robert ] Janiszewski resigned [ as Hudson County Executive and reputed bag man for the Democratic machine ] and fled the county as news of his corruption and cooperation with federal prosecutors became public and control of the county administration and HCDO [ Hudson County Democratic Organization ] fell to U. S. Rep. Robert Menendez.” New Jersey Law Journal 10/17/03

Menendez campaign finance filings show that while Janiszewski was slipping out the side door, Menendez was moving in. Records show that Menendez’s contributions from construction industry sources jumped dramatically in the years since Janiszewski has been gone. Why? You decide.

Whether it is because Menendez is sufficiently insulated to preclude any worries of him being removed, ( which would mean the end of their ‘connection’) or the builders who feed on Hudson County and its surroundings just like his face, Bob Menendez got lots more money after Janiszewski left. Why? You decide.

Is Menendez a bottom feeder with plenty of nerve for trying to tie Kean to Janiszewski’s criminal activities? You decide.

Menendez’s construction industry donors went from 215 who gave $340,000.00 in 2000 to 323 donors who gave him $463,000.00 in 2002 to 210 donors who gave him $469,000.00 just up to April of this year.

The data would seem to indicate that Joe Barry does not contribute without an expectation that he will get something in return. You decide.

“ A developer paid the ranking Hudson County politician [ Robert Janiszewski] and his operatives nearly $140,000 in return for securing federal and state grants and loans for projects federal authorities maimtain”

Not even a Federal indictment could stop Joe Barry from contributing to Menendez

Menendez’s campaign finance filings show that after his trouble with the law came to light, Joe Barry, his family and employees ( at least those who self identified as employees ) contributed $21,000.00 to Bob’s reelection. By previous standards, Joe Barry seems to be getting off cheaply.

“According to the indictment, Mr. Barry paid Mr. Janiszewski and Mr. [ Paul] Byrne $1200 to $3000 on nine occasions and in return received federal or state allocations for infrastructure work aiding his developments, including a waterfront walkway in Hoboken.”

“Mr Barry is also charged with making payments that led to his receiving Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development grant and loan guaranteed building projects.”

What the media thinks about the chances of the state’s legislature cleaning up the “pay to – play” schemes. Is the New Jersey media looking the other way? You decide.

“Ethics schmethics: Another week has passed and we are no closer to legislation to ban pay – to – play – where contributions are made in exchange for no bid government contracts.

“The contributors jack up the price so that they get their money back. The taxpayers get struck with the bills while ‘do nothing’ politicians say the public doesn’t care about ethics reform. It’s just us trouble making journalists [ who care].

“Word around the statehouse is the Democrats are all but assigning lobbyist how much money to bring into the Democrat’s coffers for the next cycle; that’s two years from now. And that’s why the legislature will never ban pay to play if there is any way around it.

“So what if it costs you more in taxes? It’s not about the people; its about keeping lawmakers fat and happy.

“In government, people who permit pay to play no bid contracts and multiple officeholders don’t seem to have any regard for not gouging the people they serve, and its so bad they don’t even see it as a problem.”

Is the Ocean County Observer right? Will the voters of New Jersey return Menendez to office and ignore his past? Your guess is as good as mine

N.B. It is said that all of small town little Democrat rags suck up to and follow the New York Time, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. This piece suggests that, just as the LAT sold its soul to protect Gray Davis with its gutter level “Nazi” attacks on Arnold Schwarzenegger, this little nothing paper has done the same with its closing question.

”….. published reports over the weekend suggested that the campaign of Thomas H. Kean Jr. had been contacted by inmate Robert Janiszewski.

”Janiszewski is no ordinary inmate. He is the former Hudson County Executive and a veteran of the county's often amusing political wars. Janiszewski reportedly provided the Kean campaign with names of people who don't like Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. The Kean campaign is playing down the revelation.”

”Kean's Senate campaign has sought the high moral ground in highlighting some of Menendez's ethical lapses.

Comment: Are these clowns kidding? Is this the nerviest statement you have seen in this whole Menendez might be a crook affair?

So there you have it. If you want to chalk all of this up to coincidence and say Bob Menendez is not a crook but a victim of circumstances that’s your right. If you think Menendez is a crook, however, I think you ARE right.

Voters of New Jersey: Tom Kean is your chance to start cleaning out the cesspool. You were robbed in the Torricelli case. You were fooled by Corzine’s lies about not raising taxes. Don’t get fooled again.

Northern New Jersey is the problem. It is the most corrupt part of America’s most corrupt state. Even the Sopranos had a few episodes involving the Xannadu waterfront project. It is up to the Southern and Middle New Jersey sections to save America from Bob Menendez.

If you don't do something about this Menendez will win. If you care about New Jersey. If you care about America, send this material to news outlets that cover New Jersey. Look up the links. Send them what you have read and let them know you will be waiting for a response. We can win this one. Don't stop getting the word out.

Nice Work! I will do my part.

We must confront those that do harm to what is dear to us!

2 posted on 10/16/2006 5:45:27 AM PDT by Zimba (At the gates we stand let are blades be sharp and our courage sharper!)

Menendez is going to win or one and only one reason. He has a "D" next to his name.

Hitler would win in NJ if he was a "D". Even my inlaws, old fashioned Brokklyn liberal Jews, now living in NJ would vote for Hitler if he ran as a Democrat.

3 posted on 10/16/2006 6:09:29 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Murtha is even cutting and running from a debate.)

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