Gold bars, cash-filled closets and a posh Benz: 7 bombshells in Sen. Menendez indictment

• Updated: Sep. 23, 2023, 7:55 p.m.|
• Published: Sep. 22, 2023, 2:52 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez gave “sensitive U.S. government information” to Egypt, meddled in the appointment of a federal prosecutor and tried to stop multiple criminal inquiries into his wealthy friends, federal authorities alleged Friday in a blockbuster corruption indictment.

In return, the New Jersey Democrat and his wife were lavished with fancy dinners, a Mercedes convertible, gold bars and envelopes of cash, federal authorities said.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2023/09/go ... -menendez-indictment.html

DeGise Sits for Extensive Interview on Hit-and-Run

https://jcitytimes.com/degise-sits-for ... interview-on-hit-and-run/

This N.J. city is now America’s most expensive for renters, site says

If you’re a renter in Jersey City, we salute you.

You’re paying the highest rent prices in the entire country, according to a report conducted by listings service Rent.com.

And you saw the third largest increase in rent prices, year over year, in the United State.

The average rent in Jersey City jumped from $3,308 in 2021 to $5,500 in 2022. That’s an increase of 66.25%.

Your neighbors in Hoboken also made the list of the Top 10 highest rents in the country, clocking in at No. 7 with an average rent bill of $4,264, which increased 21.46% from last year.

https://www.nj.com/news/2022/07/this-n ... or-renters-site-says.html

Hit-and-run victim calls for Jersey City councilwoman’s resignation, says he’s considering lawsuit

The man thrust into spotlight when he was struck by Jersey City Councilwoman-at-Large Councilwoman Amy DeGise in a hit-and-run last week says DeGise’s decision to leave the scene shows she is unfit to hold office.

“Anybody can make a mistake,” 29-year-old Andrew Black told The Jersey Journal Thursday, “but a hit-and-run is a felony.” (Hit-and-runs can be either misdemeanors or felonies in New Jersey, depending on whether they cause injury. In this case, DeGise has not been charged with a felony offense.)

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/07/hit- ... -considering-lawsuit.html

Sen. Sandra Cunningham cleared of DWI one year after Jersey City crash

Prosecutors on Thursday dropped a drunken-driving charge against state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, ending a yearlong legal battle after she crashed into parked cars in her hometown of Jersey City last March. 

Cunningham was found guilty in Bergen County Superior Court of careless driving, however, and was ordered to pay a fine of $170, the court said. 

Her attorney, Michael Rubas, and prosecutor Linda Schwager did not immediately respond for comment Thursday. 

Cunningham, the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, was driving a 2013 Infiniti on March 4, 2021, when she struck two parked cars on Culver Street. Police arrested Cunningham and charged her with driving while intoxicated and careless driving.   

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news ... city-nj-crash/9746726002/

Planning Board OKs Exchange Place Pedestrian Mall two weeks after rejecting it

The Jersey City Planning Board has approved plans to transform the area around iconic Katyn Monument into a Downtown pedestrian mall, just two weeks after rejecting the exact same plan.

On April 26, the planning board voted 6-0-1 against the Exchange Place Pedestrian Mall, which would sit on the eastern end of Montgomery Street from Hudson Street to the waterfront. Planning board members sided with about a dozen speakers who were concerned over safety and designs around the Katyn memorial.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/05/plan ... s-after-rejecting-it.html

By Steven Fulo  -  This city in New Jersey will expand access to abortion | OpinionpLike many of you, I was appalled to learn the U.S. Supreme Court is prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade, which will eliminate the constitutional right of women to control not only their bodies but also the future trajectory of their lives.As a husband, father and elected official, I understand that preserving and expanding access to abortion care is central to achieving true reproductive justice. I pledge to continue advocating for reproductive rights, including state and federal legislation codifying a woman’s ability to control her reproductive choices and bodily autonomy. And for the Jersey City residents who I serve, I also want to reaffirm my administration’s unequivocal commitment to lead this work through local programs and policies that support and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2022/05/thi ... -to-abortion-opinion.html

Former Jersey City schools superintendent’s ‘boat check’ up for vote by ed board again

After putting it off in February, Jersey City school board members once again are being asked to approve a roughly $200,000 “boat check” to former Superintendent Franklin Walker, who retired in December after 48 years in the school system.

The board of education, who will vote on April 28, tabled the whole lot of sick time and vacation payout approvals when the resolution included Walker the first time around, according to board documents. It is unclear why the school board decided to table the monthly check-the-box resolution that is routinely approved because the payouts are mandated by contract.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/form ... te-by-ed-board-again.html

Jersey City Planning Board rejects Exchange Place Redevelopment Plan

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

Jersey City Planning Board Chair Christopher Langston noted their vote on the plan was non-binding, while Commissioner Joyce Watterman, also the council president who sits on the Exchange Place Alliance board, recused herself.

Board attorney Santo Alampi noted it is a Section 31 review whereby the review is limited in scope.

“We are proposing a pedestrian plaza. Three years ago, when we began this process… the area surrounding the Katyn monument was essentially a parking lot,” said attorney Donald Pepe for the Exchange Place Alliance. He also sits on their board.

https://hudsoncountyview.com/jersey-ci ... place-redevelopment-plan/

Man in 2017 crash that killed Jersey City firefighter could be tried again for aggravated manslaughter: court

A Jersey City man whose aggravated manslaughter trial ended in a mistrial because of an epic blood evidence error may stand trial again for the 2017 fatal crash that killed a city firefighter, an appellate court ruled.

Stephen Zadroga was behind the wheel in head-on collision on Paterson Plank Road on Nov. 16, 2017, that left multiple people injured and his friend, 29-year-old Matthew Nierstedt dead.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/man- ... d-manslaughter-court.html

Jersey City Council to vote on $2.3 million for police body cams, $515K for comfortable uniforms

The Jersey City City Council is expected Wednesday night to approve several funding resolutions for the Department of Public Safety, including one that provides $2.3 million for new body cameras.

The resolution calls for the purchase of 1,120 police body cameras, along with a five-year service plan for a total of $2,277,878. Another resolution calls for the purchase from Tomahawk Strategic Solutions of 800 police uniforms at a cost of $515,200 — or $644 per uniform.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/jers ... comfortable-uniforms.html

Jersey City and Hoboken plan to unite bike lanes by connecting 18th Street and Observer Highway

The mayors of Jersey City and Hoboken are working on a plan to connect the city in a way the Hudson County neighbors have never been connected before: protected bike lanes.

Responding to a Bike Hoboken tweet, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Thursday confirmed that preliminary work is underway and Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said Jersey City’s 18th Street bike lane will connect with Hoboken’s Observer Highway bike lane by creating a protected bike lane on the section of Marin Boulevard.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/jers ... and-observer-highway.html

Off-Duty Cops In New Jersey Can Now Use Recreational Weed — And Some Cities Are Concerned

Off-duty police officers in New Jersey can now legally use recreational marijuana after the first sales in the state began last week.

Since 2012, 18 states and the District of Colombia have decriminalized recreational marijuana, but when New Jersey passed legislation last year to legalize recreational weed, no prohibition carve-out for police officers was adopted.

“Anyone 21 and older can now legally buy weed in New Jersey. And, at least according to the law as written, that includes police officers,” Fox 5 New York reported Friday.

Some municipalities said they will continue to stop law enforcement officials from using recreational marijuana as Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop plans to continue testing his city’s police force for weed and firing those who test positive.

https://www.dailywire.com/news/off-dut ... some-cities-are-concerned

Veris opens leasing for Jersey City’s newest environmentally conscious community — Haus25

Leasing is now underway at Haus25, a new 750-unit luxury development in Jersey City, according to a Monday announcement from Veris Residential.

Located at 25 Christopher Columbus Drive in the Paulus Hook section, the 56-story tower rises 600 feet in height and offers an environmentally friendly design to meet the lifestyle preferences of residents.

Designed by globally recognized Elkus Manfredi Architects, the building features interiors by award-winning Fogarty Finger and outdoor space landscape architecture by Melillo Bauer Carman.

https://www.roi-nj.com/2022/04/25/real ... nscious-community-haus25/

‘Outraged’ by racist rant by Jersey City teacher, McKnight calls for youth mental health counseling

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“I am outraged by the racist rant that students at the Academy 1 Middle School in Jersey City had to endure this week. This is sad and sickening. Our students shouldn’t have to endure racism in our school system where they are supposed to be learning, not being ridiculed,” McKnight said in a statement.

“Teachers and other leaders of all races and ethnicities have to understand and be accountable for racist acts. This is one reason why I reintroduced AR53, legislation declaring racism a public health crisis. Racism is never acceptable and especially not toward our children by people they are supposed to trust, such as their teachers.”

https://hudsoncountyview.com/outraged- ... mental-health-counseling/

Jersey City reopens applications for up to $10K in rental relief

Jersey City residents who are behind on rent payments dating back to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 have until Monday to apply for assistance of up to $10,000 in federal funding from the city.

Residents must submit applications by midnight April 18 at https://jerseycity.rentrelief.com/ to enter the lottery that will decide who receives the money, which will be issued directly as a check to landlords on behalf of tenants.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/jers ... 10k-in-rental-relief.html

Another part of Jersey City’s West Side is getting a makeover, with 3,000-unit project leading way

Route 440 on Jersey City’s West Side, currently home mostly to car dealerships, autobody shops, and empty lots, hardly looks like a vision of Jersey City’s future.

But big things are in the works for the area, specifically the Westview, one of the largest, if not the largest, projects in the Northeast, according to Jordan Franklin, chief operating officer of its developer, Bushburg Properties.

The Westview will bring 3,000 units of luxury housing to the area between Route 440 and the West Side Avenue Light Rail Station at Claremont Avenue.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/anot ... -project-leading-way.html

Fulop: Jersey City Won't Put 'Arbitary Limits' On How Many Retail Cannabis Businesses Can Open

JERSEY CITY, NJ — With New Jersey’s recreational marijuana marketplace officially set to open, Jersey City officials say they remain committed to keeping an open mind to the state’s budding new industry.

Shortly after the state's announcement Thursday that people age 21 and up will be able to legally purchase cannabis without a medical card starting April 21, Mayor Steven Fulop said in a tweet, “Missed opportunity by not doing on 4/20.”

April 20, or 4/20 is often marked as a significant day in the cannabis culture.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/jersey-c ... nabis-businesses-can-open

Jersey City nabs honor of one of the nation’s ‘Next Great Food Cities’

Jersey City made Food & Wine’s short list of the nation’s Next Great Food Cities, which will be featured in the magazine’s travel issue on stands April 22.

The city was one of seven dubbed the “most exciting up-and-coming cities for food lovers” and is the only honoree in the Northeast. One other city in the region, Biddeford, Maine, made the accompanying list of four small cities with impressive food scenes.

https://njbiz.com/jersey-city-nabs-hon ... s-next-great-food-cities/

https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities

Jersey City police union president blasts superiors’ union leader for ‘cozy’ relationship with administration

The president of the Jersey City police officers’ union blasted the new president of the superior officers’ union, claiming his “cozy” relationship with the city administration is hurting the hundreds of rank-and-file officers in his union.

In a March 31 letter to Police Officers Benevolent Association (POBA) members obtained by The Jersey Journal, president Joe Cossolini said the appointment of Andrew LaBruno from second vice president to president of the Police Superior Officers Association after Morgan Torres stepped down “is a major problem because LaBruno is clearly serving the interests of (Public Safety Director James Shea).”

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/jers ... -with-administration.html

Jersey City councilman urges state to study local income tax up to 1% to help fund $1 billion school budget

Jersey City Bergen-Lafayette Councilman Frank Gilmore is urging the state to study the feasibility of creating a local income tax of up to 1% to help fund the $973.8 million Jersey City school budget.

Gilmore announced Thursday afternoon his plan to present a resolution at the April 13 city council meeting. He wants to know how much revenue could be generated by the local tax.

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/04/jers ... illion-school-budget.html

Jersey City officials discuss potentially utilizing speed cameras to help reduce hit-and-runs

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

“We’re calling on you to develop a speed camera pilot program in Jersey City. We want to ensure it is fully government-controlled. No private contractors,” Colin DeVries, a board member of Safe Streets Jersey City, said at the City Council Caucus Chambers yesterday.

He cited a study done in Montgomery County, Maryland that saw speeding drop 19 percent when a camera was installed, also noting that the New York City Department of Transportation controls their own speed cameras.

https://hudsoncountyview.com/jersey-ci ... help-reduce-hit-and-runs/

Fulop, Tom DeGise, & Bob Menendez all in favor of Marion Street PATH Station in Jersey City

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“In understanding the economic impacts resulting from the pandemic, we will look to the developers to fully fund the construction of a two-platform, ten car above-ground station, with minor modifications to existing tracks previously constructed in anticipation of this extension,” Fulop said in his February 1st letter to Peter Simon, the chief of staff to PANYNJ Chair Kevin O’Toole.

“As discussed in recent years with the developers involved, we are confident that the proposed development in the area will pay for the necessary capital improvements … The Marion PATH Station would provide a critical juncture to tens of thousands of our residents and commuters to complement and extend Jersey City’s existing public transit infrastructure while filling the gaps in areas that need it most.”

https://hudsoncountyview.com/fulop-tom ... h-station-in-jersey-city/

Hitman who killed on orders from N.J. political operative gets 8 years for Connecticut robbery

A career criminal who admitted killing in 2014 in a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by a prominent New Jersey political operative was sentenced Tuesday to 96 months in federal prison in an unrelated bank robbery that year in Connecticut.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer sentenced George Bratsenis, 73, to eight years in prison during a hearing in a New Haven, Conn. federal court after Bratsenis pleaded guilty in 2019 to committing the armed bank robbery in Connecticut, his home state.

https://www.nj.com/news/2022/04/hitman ... -connecticut-robbery.html

Prosecutor: Jersey City teen, 17, charged with murder of 15-year-old Devin Bryant

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

The teen was arrested by members of the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force with the assistance of the New York City Police Department and the New York City Sheriff’s Office on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens yesterday, Suarez said in a statement.

He is charged as a juvenile with murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

https://hudsoncountyview.com/prosecuto ... 15-year-old-devin-bryant/

Jersey City mayor doubles down on slamming BOE for raising school taxes

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop doubled down on his stinging criticism of the school board for increasing property owners’ school taxes by $1,600 “for a largely failing public school system.”

On March 22, a day after the $955 million school budget was approved, the administration took a shot at the “bloated salaries” of district leadership, saying district officials and the board “have not looked at any common-sense changes that have been recommended to them for years.”

https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/03/jers ... raising-school-taxes.html

Seven Jersey City retail cannabis applicants get planning board approval

Seven Jersey City retail cannabis applicants received planning board approval during a special meeting last night, setting them on the path to do business in the city.

The applicants are spread out across the city, and if approved by the city’s cannabis board and state regulators, would be among the first line of retail marijuana stores in the city to open up following the legalization of marijuana in New Jersey last year. The stores would be located in neighborhoods such as the Heights, Journal Square and Downtown.

https://hudsonreporter.com/2022/03/29/ ... -planning-board-approval/

Put brakes on rushed calls for speed cameras in Jersey City | OpinionBy Kendall MartinThe year 2021 was a bad year for pedestrian casualties in the state of New Jersey, and Jersey City in particular. Statewide, there were over 200 pedestrians killed, 14 of them in Jersey City. This issue cuts very close to home for me since some of those fatalities occurred on Kennedy Boulevard very near where I live. With that in mind, I was very motivated to attend the Dec. 16 meeting on this topic at the Gallo Center, which was set up by county Commissioner Bill O’Dea, city Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, and Colin DeVries.There was a lot of emotional testimony from the audience, which demonstrated the passion this problem engenders in the community. However, what was missing was any hard data or analysis to prove that speed cameras are the only solution and that this is something the majority of the residents of Jersey City want. As a result, there was a lot of pressure directed at our state senator to craft legislation to allow speed cameras in Jersey City.Although the meeting was open to the general public, most of the participants were from neighborhoods bordering Lincoln Park. The composition of the audience wasn’t diverse enough. We need input from all over the City. There is a lot of lobbying being done in favor of this plan, but this is something that should be decided in as wide and open a forum as possible. A follow-up meeting scheduled for Feb. 17 was subsequently postponed, and is now scheduled for next Thursday, April 7, at City Hall.I learned a lot at the December meeting, but I was also left with a lot of questions about the process going forward, in terms of implementing speed cameras in Jersey City. So, I did a little research to better understand what was, and more importantly, was not being proposed or mentioned at the time.First, the installation of these cameras in Jersey City, which is currently illegal, is an ad hoc solution that bypasses the Vision Zero Task Force and Plan. The immediate questions that come to mind are, “Why should we do that?” Second, “Is the Vision Zero Plan a failure?”On Feb. 9, 2018, Mayor Fulop issued an Executive Order implementing the Vision Zero Initiative as part of a plan to eliminate traffic-related deaths by the year 2026. This resulted in the formation of the Vision Zero Task Force, which consists of representatives from 10 city departments, Bike Jersey City, and Safe Streets Jersey City. Their mandate was to meet quarterly, develop the Vision Zero Plan, coordinate with law enforcement on its implementation. In addition, they are supposed to regularly provide crash data and statistics to the public and produce an annual report of what was done along with the progress being made. The 2020 annual report was released last year in April, so we should anticipate the release of a new one next month.A specific part of the Vision Zero mandate from the mayor was for the task force to focus on the issue of equity so that none of the solutions incorporated into the Vision Zero Plan have a greater negative effect on one community in our city than another. Speed cameras would implement a regressive form of taxation that clearly would not be focused on “equity.” The Vision Zero Task Force didn’t include them or even a proposal to change the laws regarding cameras in the Vision Zero Plan when they had the opportunity.There are 70 specific things in the Vision Zero Plan and many have already been implemented. Do we know what impact they’re having? One very important part of the plan is the development of two High Injury Network (HIN) maps, one for the county roads and one for roads maintained exclusively by Jersey City. Everyone was supposed to focus on these areas to dramatically improve safety for pedestrians in them. I have not found any references to a police task force being dedicated to the enforcement of the plan. Does one exist? How many of the fatalities that occurred last year were in the HIN areas? Did speed play a significant factor, or were other factors the real causes? Did the police and county sheriff step up enforcement of speeding and other traffic laws in HIN areas? Was there a significant increase in the number of summonses issued in them? Based on data gathered through the Vision Zero Plan, should the HIN maps be expanded?At the Dec. 16 meeting, the police stated an effort has been made to maintain traffic patrols on parts of Kennedy Boulevard from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. unless higher priority calls pull those resources away. What police action is taking place in the rest of the HIN areas?Is the Vision Zero Initiative, with a target date for its success of 2026, already failing? Should more money and dedicated police resources be budgeted and allocated to ensure its success? Are speed cameras the only solution to keep it from imploding?The next meeting has been set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at City Hall, 280 Grove St.Given the impact that such a law would have on all Jersey City drivers, what is being done to reach out and notify not just the affluent citizens, but also lower-income and communities of color to solicit their input and opinions?Kendall Martin is a resident of Jersey City.https://www.nj.com/opinion/2022/03/put ... -jersey-city-opinion.html

Jersey City to Host Parade for Saint Peter’s Following Men’s NCAA Tournament Run

Jersey City, the home of Saint Peter’s, announced Wednesday a celebratory parade will be held Friday to commemorate the Peacocks’ historic run in the 2022 men’s NCAA tournament.

Saint Peter’s became the lowest-seeded school in NCAA tournament history to reach the Elite Eight in March. As a No. 15 seed, the Peacocks upset No. 2 Kentucky, No. 7 Murray State and No. 3 Purdue. They eventually lost to No. 8 North Carolina last Sunday to end their Cinderella story.

To celebrate the amazing run by the Peacocks, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop will host a parade throughout the city before finally ending on the Saint Peter’s campus.

https://www.si.com/college/2022/03/30/ ... mayor-ncaa-tournament-run

Get a Fresh Hamburger Cooked on Demand from This Vending Machine

RoboBurger, the world’s first robot burger chef, just launched in Jersey City.

RoboBurger only takes six minutes to craft a perfect burger. The world's first robot burger chef just launched in Jersey City, and its vending machine format is attracting burger aficionados to new location in the Newport Centre Mall.

The robot, which is an artificially intelligent, self-operating system, is able to build a burger from scratch in just a few minutes. Measuring 12 square feet, the robot features an internal refrigeration system and the ability to self-clean.

Built to model the cooking process that human chefs use in restaurants, RoboBurger grills the meat, toasts the bun, and assembles the burger with the customer's preferred condiments in a most efficient manner—and serves it nice and hot for only $6.99. Since it doesn't require any humans, the robot vending machine is ready to serve as long as the mall is open.

https://www.thrillist.com/news/new-yor ... nding-machine-jersey-city