TRENTON, NJ – Senator Michael Testa introduced legislation targeting developer bribes and corruption in local development offices across New Jersey. The bill empowers the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to intervene or assume control in corruption-laden offices, particularly when three or more officials are charged, indicted, or convicted.
Testa said under Governor Phil Murphy’s administration, safeguards against political corruption have been scaled back.
Testa stated, “My legislation seeks to end the persistent culture of corruption,” noting that while attention has been focused on figures like Senator Menendez, corruption is rampant in cities like Hudson and Newark, where bribery and kickbacks have been exchanged in development deals.
The bill, designated as S-4075, would also apply retroactively to cases dating back three years prior to its enactment. This means that individuals previously convicted, indicted, or charged could also come under the purview of the new legislation.
“Corruption in New Jersey is not relegated to Senator Menendez. Many have been content to look the other way as dirty money changed hands in places like Hudson and Newark for kickbacks and favors,” said Testa (R-1). “While these bribes and shady development deals have consistently flown under the radar, this administration has failed to take aggressive action to intervene where obvious corruption exists. My legislation seeks to end the persistent culture of corruption.”
The need for such a measure has been highlighted by ongoing cases involving corruption in Newark. In one example, the city’s former deputy mayor faces trial in December on charges of soliciting bribes for property developments. Additionally, a former Newark councilman has already pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from developers, and a past director of the Newark Housing Authority was convicted of stealing nearly $600,000.
Testa emphasized the urgency of the issue by recounting how state oversight was lifted from Newark in 2018. He noted, “Shortly thereafter, the deputy mayor was indicted, a councilman and developers pled guilty to charges of bribery, and a housing authority official was convicted of theft. It’s no secret that corruption is just routine business in places like Newark.”
The bill, if passed, would mark a significant step in combating a culture of corruption that has long plagued various cities in New Jersey.
“Newark’s development efforts were under state oversight until Governor Murphy released the city in 2018. Shortly thereafter, the deputy mayor was indicted, a councilman and developers pled guilty to charges of bribery, and a housing authority official was convicted of theft,” Testa added. “It’s no secret that corruption is just routine business in places like Newark. If the Executive Branch refuses to reign in this culture of obvious corruption then the Legislature must pass this long overdue bill.”