Corruption and Unethical Conduct Among New Jersey's Supreme Court Justices.

David W. Chen, "Facing a Lawsuit, Corzine Swears Off E-Mail," The New York Times, July 12, 2007, at p. B1.
David Kociniewski, "In Newark, Anxiety Grows Over Inquiry On Ex-Mayor," in The New York Times, July 12, 2007, at p. B5.
"Trenton: Panel Recommends Judge's Censure," in The New York Times, July 12, 2007, at B4.


"A New Jersey Supreme Court justice [Rivera-Soto] should be censured because he created an appearance of impropriety when he interceded in a dispute between his son and a high school football teammate, a state panel said yesterday."

This finding and bizarre charges arising, mysteriously, against Mr. Rivera-Soto have become a subject of much speculation in courthouses all over New Jersey. Who was really behind these accusations? The most plausible theories focus on attempts by the Trenton Syndicate to "brush off" the judiciary by reminding judges of their lack of indepedence in a highly politicized and corrupt environment. The goal is to intimidate judges.

"We can reach even members of the New Jersey Supreme Court," the Jersey Boys say. They're right. They can and do "reach" judges all the time. Hence, most judges in state courts will do what they're told, being mindful of just how short are the political leashes that they are wearing. The morons will learn this the hard way.

"The panel found that the justice, Roberto A. Rivera-Soto, 53, a Republican appointed by Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2004, violated judicial rules against using the prestige of his office [New Jersey's Supreme Court and judiciary has no prestige these days!] to advance a private interest."

In a state where $4.3 billion vanished from or was "short" in previous budgets; $100 million was stolen from UMDNJ; $630 million disappeared from other hospital facilities -- all of it federal/public money -- and where Senator Robert "Bob" Menendez gets $300,000 in rents from tenants as they are receiving federal funds on his watch, while $30 million in federal seed money is put out to "developers" hiring the Senator's "appreciative" friends, these charges against a Supreme Court justice who gave someone his business card and asked for no special treatment are obviously absurd.

Much the same may be said of the forthcoming indictment of Mayor Sharpe James, whom the feds have no choice but to pursue -- since information pertaining to Mr. James has been disseminated by Democrats loyal to the Jersey Syndicate. The allegations against Mr. James amount to what is known in the neighborhood as "chump change." The serious stealing is taking place behind the scenes and amounts to BILLIONS. The big time thieves are "spared" criminal charges, after making restitution of a minute portion of the sum stolen and (probably) a "small political contribution." Ethics?

One theory is that Richard J. Codey is behind these efforts to distract public opinion from all the shenanigans in Trenton by smearing Corzine and James, while Speaker Roberts and his shady friends in Camden are going after Menendez. Codey and Roberts are hoping to be the last men standing when the smoke has cleared. Menendez "threw down the gauntlet" by making it clear that: "on the one hand, but on the other hand ..." Senator Bob said we can quote him on that. What a guy.

"[Rivera-Soto's] fellow Supreme Court justices must now decide whether" -- incidentally, the Trenton Gang is said to own at least two members of the current New Jersey Supreme Court -- "to censure or take some other action; including suspension or removal; or decide that no punishment is warranted."

Mr. Rivera-Soto could be disbarred for this bullshit while "made men" of the organization get elevated to the Appellate Division. Republicans are looking for payback. Anticipated federal indictments of prominent New Jersey politicians (from both parties) will add to the flavor of this "stew," right Stu? New Jersey's legal system and judiciary is not a scene that is "blazing with light."

"Justice Rivera-Soto's lawyer, Bruce P. McMoran, told the Star Ledger[sic.] of Newark that he was gratified because the committee found that his client did not intend any harm."

This reminds me of the Woody Allen joke about the prisoner who boasts that he is scheduled to be shot at noon. "They were going to shoot me at dawn," the prisoner says, "but I had a smart lawyer." Thanks a lot, Mr. McMoran. Roberto, wait till you get that guy's bill. You may ask them to shoot you at dawn.

"The panel said Justice Rivera-Soto handed out his business cards to a police detective and contacted prosecutors and judges in Camden County" -- wrong place -- "to discuss the juvenile deliquency complaint he had filed."

Legal officials in Camden County will pass along any information of a confidential sort to big crime or political bosses behind the scenes, who will then arrange for unpleasant consequences for those chosen for destruction.

Dem guys, I don't know. Wadda-ya gonna do ... It's always a little this, a little of that. Hey, you want a fruit basket?