Huge Corruption Sweep in NJ; Hoboken, Secaucus Mayors Arrested

Business as usual here in New Jersey.

Dozens of arrests are taking place across New Jersey this morning and many public officials -- including the mayors of Hoboken and Secaucus, the deputy mayor of Jersey City -- are among those being taken into custody.

FBI and IRS agents are making the roundups all across the state in what is being described as one of the biggest investigations of its kind in Jersey's scandal-plagued history.

It appears to be a corruption related investigation but justice department and FBI spokesmen would not commenting on the details this morning.

Arrests and searches are underway across Jersey City, Secaucus and numerous Hudson and Bergen county locations.

In past years, New jersey has seen more than 100 corruption-related arrests of public officials. No word on the specific charges against those being rounded up today. A press conference is expected later today.

Among those arrested this morning were Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano and Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, authorities said.

The Hudson County Democrat machine has been one of the dirtiest in the nation for probably a century, and produced the esteemed Senator Robert Menendez. With any luck he's also getting swept up with the trash.

Apparently it's a federal money-laundering rap that also involves some rabbis.

Federal authorities arrested dozens of people today in New York and New Jersey as part of a money laundering and corruption sweep. Those arrested included several New Jersey public officials and rabbis.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Newark later today. Those arrested include Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, Secaucus Mayor Denis Elwell and Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Baldini, and Jersey City Council President Mario Vega.

Here's a photo of Cammarano from earlier this week with some other esteemed Democrats. You may recognize some of them.

Here's a photo of Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano with, from left, Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, along with New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos last week outside the Hoboken PATH terminal.

Update: Instapundit links. Thanks!

So far 30 have been arrested.

The mayors of Hoboken and Secaucus, a state assemblyman and dozens of others were rounded up early Thursday as the F.B.I. swept across four counties in New Jersey as part of a two-year corruption and money-laundering investigation that ranged from the Jersey Shore to Brooklyn and has even reached into the State House in Trenton.

Agents raided the home of Joseph V. Doria Jr., commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs, who also is the former mayor of Bayonne, an official confirmed Thursday morning.

Among the roughly 30 people arrested by mid-morning were Hoboken Mayor Peter J. Cammarano III and Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, both Democrats, and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt, a Republican from Forked River, in Ocean County. Mr. Cammarano, who turned 32 on Wednesday, was elected mayor June 9 and sworn in July 1, after serving as councilman-at-large since 2005.

Also brought to the Newark office of the F.B.I. were the president of the city council in Jersey City, Mariano Vega, and that city’s deputy mayor, Leona Beldini.

The Times doesn't note it but Doria is a Democrat.

Curious how the Republican is prominently noted but most reports neglect to mention all the rest are Democrats. Moe Lane is keeping tabs on party affiliation. More details from Lawhawk.