Legislator Under Investigation For Child Porn

WNBC.COM ^ | 7/25/08 | Puppage

[Puppage]

UNION, N.J. -- Veteran Democratic state Assemblyman Neil Cohen is being investigated for child pornography possession on his legislative office computer, according to four officials familiar with the situation.

It was two fellow democrats who essentially turned in Cohen. News 4 New York has learned the seven-term assemblyman has been hospitalized under psychiatric observation Thursday night, after investigators seized computers from his office on Stuyvesant Avenue in Union.

Sources tell WNBC.com’s Brian Thompson that no decision has been made as of Thursday night as to whether the 57-year-old legislator will face state or federal prosecution.

The investigation began after state Attorney General Anne Milgram received a tip, sources said. Her office seized the assemblyman’s Union Township computers Wednesday as part of the investigation, sources said. At least one of the computers was assigned to him as part of his work in the legislature.

The outspoken liberal Roselle resident shares an office with State Senator Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan.

The two confirmed Thursday to News 4 New York: “As the facts became apparent in our office, we notified the appropriate agency and will continue to assist in any way possible,” they said in a joint statement. “While it was our proactive steps that led the investigation to this point, we are appalled at what has transpired.”

They added that both have known Cohen for more than two decades.

“We know him as a compassionate caring individual, but if the allegations prove true, clearly there was a side to him neither of us knew,” they said in the statement.

Cohen served in the Assembly from 1990 to 1991 and from 1994 to present. He is currently a deputy speaker.

In 2001, Cohen sponsored a bill creating a computer hotline to report child pornography and other Internet crimes.

Cohen also has been a leading backer of state stem cell research efforts.

Cohen did not respond to messages left at his legislative and law offices Thursday. He did not answer calls to his cell phone, which was not accepting messages.

Calls to the Attorney General's Office also were not immediately returned.

[Puppage]

Wow...Party affiliation in the first sentence.

[popdonnelly]

“The outspoken liberal Roselle resident”

No surprise there.

[bushfamfan]

That is certainly a slip up. But take it as being “only about sex” and that really means nothing when it comes to Demonrats. There is no low they will not sink to and no law/morals they take seriously. After all, they only provide more and more proof of why they are the party that puts judges in that are so leniant on child molesters! This is really nothing out of the norm for a Demonrat and it’ll be given a wink after a disingenuous condemnation.

[ryan71]

A sure way to move UP in the Democrat party.

[kenmcg]

“Veteran Democratic state Assemblyman Neil Cohen is being investigated for child pornography possession on his legislative office computer, according to four officials familiar with the situation.”

A sure recipe for getting reelected in Joisey!!

[theDentist]

Wow...Party affiliation in the first sentence.

That's because the 2nd sentence essentially credits Democrats with discovering the crimes and turning the b***ard in. I have no doubt if Republicans turned him in, there would be no affiliation of his party anywhere in the story.

[Puppage]

That's because the 2nd sentence essentially credits Democrats with discovering the crimes and turning the b***ard in.

Ya know, that's a dang good point.

[CPOSharky]

I have no doubt if Republicans turned him in...

There are elected Republicans in NJ?

[theDentist]

It’s a rumor I cannot confirm nor deny.

[Condor51]

Veteran Democratic state Assemblyman Neil Cohen is being investigated for child pornography possession on his legislative office computer,...News 4 New York has learned the seven-term assemblyman has been hospitalized under psychiatric observation..

...no decision has been made as of Thursday night as to whether the 57-year-old legislator will face state or federal prosecution.

No decision on charges?!?!

Joe Schmo from Kokomo would have been charged, you can bet the rent on that.

And how convenient he checked into a nut house. But I don't think that trick works anymore to escape prosecution.

[shaft29]

“In 2001, Cohen sponsored a bill creating a computer hotline to report child pornography and other Internet crimes.”

Just doing background work.

[Puppage]

I have no doubt if Republicans turned him in...

It was two fellow democrats who essentially turned in Cohen