Enough is Enough, Healy!
By: Nicole Leibowitz
Issue date: 11/25/09 Section: Opinion
It appears that Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy cannot keep his name out of the headlines.
From the "get drunk, get naked" incident in 2004, when Healy, then just a councilman, was photographed sitting on his porch naked after what appeared to be a long night of drinking, to the "belligerent intoxication" incident in June 2006, where he was arrested in Bradley Beach, NJ for "disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice," Healy's name has become a product of the rumor mill.
In July, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a great number of Hudson County politicians during Operation Bid Rig. Although Healy was questioned, no charges were filed against him.
Operation Bid Rig, a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS, and the U.S. District Attorney for New Jersey, centered on Solomon Dwek, a failed real estate developer turned government informant who promised several people, including Jersey City politicians, bribes in exchange for political favors such as expediting zoning deals.
Several of the arrested Jersey City officials, including former Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, allegedly funneled bribe money from Dwek to Healy's re-election campaign.
According to an article published on jewishbreakingnews.wordpress.com, "Dwek told Beldini he wanted to build condominiums on the property off Garfield Avenue in Jersey City, which would sell for $500,000 or more a unit."
Beldini, who was more than happy to oblige, stated, "I can definitely help you get through a lot of red tape."
Solomon Dwek then promised to buy $10,000 in tickets for an upcoming political fundraiser.
According to Beldini, one of the 44 arrested in Operation Bid Rig, this is a common practice among politicians.
In the criminal complaint filed against her by the U.S. District Attorney for New Jersey, Beldini stated "What we're trying to do is put money into different funds so we can, when we need it, funnel it back into [JC Official 4's (Healy's) election fund]. Which everybody does."
Mayor Healy has since fired Leona Beldini as deputy mayor.
It's important to stress that Mayor Healy has not been indicted on charges relating to the Operation Bid Rig investigation, but the fact people in his employ took bribes from a government informant is troubling to say the least.
Considering the rampant corruption in Hudson County, one would think that Jersey City residents would be calling for Healy to resign.
But it's possible that his human persona softens his political nature and makes his slip-ups irrelevant, almost endearing to the public.
However, Jersey City residents and students at New Jersey City University should remain suspicious of their elected local officials.
It seems like the constant, filthy, back-stabbing, elusive, under-handed politics will continue to prosper, despite the manner in which it is conducted; however, I think the one question on everyone's mind is, WHY?
From the "get drunk, get naked" incident in 2004, when Healy, then just a councilman, was photographed sitting on his porch naked after what appeared to be a long night of drinking, to the "belligerent intoxication" incident in June 2006, where he was arrested in Bradley Beach, NJ for "disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice," Healy's name has become a product of the rumor mill.
In July, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a great number of Hudson County politicians during Operation Bid Rig. Although Healy was questioned, no charges were filed against him.
Operation Bid Rig, a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS, and the U.S. District Attorney for New Jersey, centered on Solomon Dwek, a failed real estate developer turned government informant who promised several people, including Jersey City politicians, bribes in exchange for political favors such as expediting zoning deals.
Several of the arrested Jersey City officials, including former Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, allegedly funneled bribe money from Dwek to Healy's re-election campaign.
According to an article published on jewishbreakingnews.wordpress.com, "Dwek told Beldini he wanted to build condominiums on the property off Garfield Avenue in Jersey City, which would sell for $500,000 or more a unit."
Beldini, who was more than happy to oblige, stated, "I can definitely help you get through a lot of red tape."
Solomon Dwek then promised to buy $10,000 in tickets for an upcoming political fundraiser.
According to Beldini, one of the 44 arrested in Operation Bid Rig, this is a common practice among politicians.
In the criminal complaint filed against her by the U.S. District Attorney for New Jersey, Beldini stated "What we're trying to do is put money into different funds so we can, when we need it, funnel it back into [JC Official 4's (Healy's) election fund]. Which everybody does."
Mayor Healy has since fired Leona Beldini as deputy mayor.
It's important to stress that Mayor Healy has not been indicted on charges relating to the Operation Bid Rig investigation, but the fact people in his employ took bribes from a government informant is troubling to say the least.
Considering the rampant corruption in Hudson County, one would think that Jersey City residents would be calling for Healy to resign.
But it's possible that his human persona softens his political nature and makes his slip-ups irrelevant, almost endearing to the public.
However, Jersey City residents and students at New Jersey City University should remain suspicious of their elected local officials.
It seems like the constant, filthy, back-stabbing, elusive, under-handed politics will continue to prosper, despite the manner in which it is conducted; however, I think the one question on everyone's mind is, WHY?
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