Split verdict scrutinized in NJ corruption trial

Saturday, February 13, 2010
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEWARK ? A split verdict in the first trial in New Jersey's biggest federal corruption sting has shone a spotlight on the government's case and particularly its reliance on a cooperating witness with an extensive criminal history.

The verdict left some observers puzzled because the charges all derived from the same allegations: Beldini's acceptance of $20,000 in campaign donations and the promise of future real estate commissions from the informant, purportedly in exchange for her help with building and zoning approvals.

"It's actually a very confusing verdict," said Robert Fuggi, attorney for indicted former state Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt, whose trial is scheduled for early May.

"She got convicted on the same counts she got acquitted on. The main thing I would take away is that the government is on tenuous ground by the way they conducted this investigation and by putting all their eggs in one basket, and the jury showed that yesterday," Fuggi said Friday.

Not surprisingly, both sides claimed a measure of victory Thursday. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said the two convictions vindicated the government's case.

"You can't speculate on why the jury reached one result on one count and one on another count," Fishman said. "What we do know is that jury found that Leona Beldini accepted bribes for official action, and we're pleased with that result."

Brian Neary, Beldini's attorney, said he would appeal. He said the verdict repudiates the informant, failed real estate speculator Solomon Dwek, who secretly recorded hours of meetings with public officials and was the government's chief witness at the trial.

Dwek comes with heavy baggage. He has pleaded guilty to a $50 million bank fraud, and during the trial acknowledged running a real estate Ponzi scheme in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Neary's strategy, sure to be employed by attorneys in future trials, sought to portray him as the initiator of any discussions of illegal activity.

In Beldini's case, this usually occurred when she was putting on her coat to leave a meeting, as two tapes played for the jury demonstrated.

It may be significant that the two bribery charges on which Beldini was convicted were strengthened by campaign finance disclosure forms and the testimony of an accountant who worked on Mayor Jerramiah Healy's campaign. Beldini served as Healy's campaign treasurer. Healy has not been charged.

That wasn't enough to convince the jury to convict Beldini on the more serious extortion counts, though, which relied more heavily on the conversations secretly taped by Dwek.

"I can't speculate on how this will affect upcoming prosecutions," Fishman said. "One of the defense arguments has been that the government shouldn't use people like Solomon Dwek in these investigations. But the jury obviously rejected that argument" by convicting her on some charges.

The split verdict likely will give defense attorneys more confidence going forward, said Henry Klingeman, who represents indicted Hudson County political consultant Joseph Cardwell.

"It has to, for the simple reason that the government usually wins 100 percent of these cases, and in this one they won 33 percent," Klingeman said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has won more than 130 convictions or guilty pleas in corruption cases during the last eight years without a defeat. That could change, Fuggi said.

"I think they're going to lose one of these high-profile cases, and they're going to lose it because of Dwek and because of the way the investigation was done," he said.

So Beldini is found guilty of receiving money for favors with no video of her getting the cash, and Healy is still a free man even tho he is GUILTY of the same thing. What B S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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We absolutely do not-Healy absolutely does-he would've never been elected without the support of that criminal whore, Beldini, and the NAACP dues-robbing tool, Tayari aka Brown (how is this guy still walking around free?!).

This city will be so much better when Healy and his cronies are gone-be it retired, behind bars, or 6 feet under (hopefully not all in that order).

Is she still eligible to draw from city retirement and health benefits or do those terminate with the conviction as well?

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No we don't. A damn waste of our money! Do away with her position, salary and any staff that supported her. It's the mayor's job to fulfill the role of a mayor.

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skepticalhook, I don't disagree with anything you wrote. But I also think you're speaking generally and I'm speaking specifically. I think favors were implied. And even if someone else thinks they weren't, and he just gave money cause he liked the candidate (healy) she still took over the legal amount and used straw donors, which may not be implicit bribery, but most definitely illegal.

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It is not that simple. Political contributions, or anything of value, given to a politician (or funnelled to a politician's campaign fund) in exchange for a promise or something the "donator" might not otherwise be entitled to (such as favorable tax abatements, changing in zoning, etc) would be a bribe.

Any favorable treatment, or promise given by the politician, in exchange for goods, services, cash, etc., should be considered a bribe.

The problem/question comes in when someone just likes a politician, provides money to their campaign, and then receives favorable treatment (if you can believe there are such "innocent" donations). That is why the pay to play legislation essentially eliminates the middleground.

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No, he's right. Political contributions aren't bribes.

but

OVER THE LIMIT AMOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS GIVEN IN ENVELOPES STUFFED WITH CASH THEN FILTERED THRU STRAW DONORS are bribes.

It's like if I got stopped for running a red light and my defense was "cars aren't illegal."

At a minimum, the mayor owes the city a comment.

Does the mayor owe Jersey City residents an apology for the actions of (Beldini, Catrillo, & co.) ? Take our poll, will ya?

Quote:fine ... but if political contributions are not bribes, what are they? i really want to hear his explanation ...

Beldini's attorney: 'Political contributions are not bribes'

First N.J. corruption trial in FBI sweep ends in split verdict, leaves future uncertain By Bob Braun/Star-Ledger Columnist February 12, 2010, 6:29AM Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger Attorney Brian J. Neary walks with client Jersey City deputy mayor, Leona Beldini, who was convicted today of two of six counts involving illegal campaign contributions in Newark. Also walking is S. Emile Lisboa IV an attorney with the Law Offices of Brian J. Neary. This was supposed to be the bellwether case. The outcome of the trial could determine whether dozens of other defendants in last summer?s big federal sting operation would cave in and plead guilty or stand their ground and take their chances at trial. But the split verdict levied by the jurors in the conspiracy, bribery, and extortion trial of suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini may have only confused things for the accused and their lawyers. And everyone else. "Interesting verdicts?but it?s hard to see how they fit together without knowing what the jury was thinking and they?re not going to tell us,?? says John Azzarello, a former federal prosecutor representing former state Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria. ? Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini is found guilty on two charges in N.J. corruption trial ? Full coverage of the N.J. corruption probe Doria has not been charged but, when the feds busted 46 people last July, they raided his home and office, apparently looking for bribe money that they never found. The fallout from the raid led to his resignation from state office and hurt Gov. Jon Corzine?s campaign. The verdicts made sense to the eight men and four women on the jury, most of whom are not talking. But it?s hard for those not in the jury room to understand how it happened: In this, the first trial emerging from last summer?s sting, Beldini was convicted of accepting bribes ? but not of demanding bribes. Demanding them would be extortion and she was acquitted of the two counts of that. The deputy mayor of Jersey City did not actually receive any money herself. The bribes from government informant Solomon Dwek took the form of $20,000 in campaign contributions, although Beldini was running for nothing, and they were allegedly funneled through two bagmen, one of whom is now dead. Funneled to the campaign of Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy who, while attending some of the same videotaped meetings with Dwek that Beldini did, was never charged. And, despite all the characters involved in this funneling operation, the scam apparently did not, according to the jury, amount to an illegal conspiracy, because Beldini also was acquitted of the one count of conspiracy against her. Finally, when she apparently did have the chance to obtain something valuable for herself ? real estate commissions on a fictitious development promoted by serial con artist Dwek - she didn?t. Beldini was acquitted of that charge as well. Those who believe all politicians ? especially Democrats from Hudson County -- are guilty until dead or proven innocent will probably cheer the two guilty verdicts. But at least one defense lawyer saw reason for hope in the four acquittals. "I think other defendants will take comfort in the split verdict," says Henry Klingeman, who is representing Jersey City political consultant Joseph Cardwell. "The federal government is accustomed to winning all its cases. I think you will see more trials coming, not fewer because of the verdict.?? There were indications the verdicts were related to jurors? concerns about campaign law violations, not an issue in the case. On their first day of deliberations, they sent a note to Judge Jose Linares asking how many tickets one person could legally buy to a $500-a-plate fund-raiser for the Jersey City Democratic Committee. The question appeared to surprise Linares and lawyers on both sides and the judge refused to answer it?because it really didn?t have anything to do with the case. Michael Cuppari of Cranford, one of the jurors, said after the verdict that he believed the campaign contributions did amount to "bribes." He said "she"?Beldini?"knew they went over the limit?? and knew they were "illegal." Violations of campaign laws are usually handled as civil matters in New Jersey." Cuppari called Dwek "a bad guy who did a lot of bad things," but he said that did not necessarily make him an incredible witness. ``I don?t think he lied," Cuppari said. But, despite what Klingeman?and others?have said about the ambiguity of the videotaped comments, Cuppari said he voted to convict, not on what Dwek said, but what was on the tape. ``I think it was clear," the juror said. Beldini's attorney: 'Political contributions are not bribes'

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So that is what they mean by innocent till proven guilty.

Justice is served.

Are there any videos of Vega taking money?

I'd still love to know which member of Beldini's family slapped the mayor around after the initial arrest. Someone must have been pissed that hizzoner let his bagwoman take the fall.

Deputy mayor in NJ convicted on 2 of 6 counts in 1st trial in federal corruption sting

LA Times
By Associated Press
February 11, 2010


NEWARK, N.J. (AP) ? A city official in New Jersey has been convicted on two of six corruption counts in the first trial stemming from the state's largest federal sting.

The panel returned its verdict against Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini on Thursday at the end of its second day of deliberations following a nine-day trial.

Beldini showed little reaction as the verdict was read.

She has been convicted on two counts of accepting bribes from a federal informant posing as a corrupt developer. She has been acquitted of extortion conspiracy, two counts of attempted extortion and a third bribery count.

The 74-year-old Beldini was among 44 people arrested last summer in a dual public corruption and money laundering sting.

Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini is found guilty on two charges in N.J. corruption trial

By Joe Ryan/The Star-Ledger
February 11, 2010, 4:20PM
NEWARK ? A Jersey City deputy mayor was convicted today of two of six counts in the first corruption trial to stem from last summer?s massive FBI sting.

Leona Beldini was found guilty of two counts involving illegal campaign contributions. The federal jury in Newark reached its verdict this afternoon after a snow storm delayed deliberations.

Beldini was acquitted on four of six counts, including one conspiracy count, two attempted extortion charges and one bribery count in which she was charged with agreeing to be the exclusive real estate broker for Dwek's condo project in exchange for getting him zoning approvals in the city.

Beldini was convicted of two bribery accounts for accepting $20,000 in a illegal campaign contributions on behalf of Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy.

Beldini showed no emotion as the verdict was read. Sentencing has been scheduled for June1

The 74-year-old Democrat was arrested last summer along with scores of others in the bribery and money-laundering probe that ensnared 46 people. Beldini was the first to stand trial.

The investigation hinged on a single government informant who began working under cover for the FBI after being charged with bank fraud in 2006.

The informant, Solomon Dwek, spent five days testifying against Beldini, annotating the videos he surreptitiously produced with a miniature camera while posing as a developer trying to trade cash-stuffed FedEx envelopes for building approvals.

She faces up to 20 years in prison. But federal sentencing guidelines could allow for a much shorter prison term.

from
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... ilty_on_two_counts_i.html


Beldini guilty on two counts, innocent on four
By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal
February 11, 2010, 3:59PM
Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal
A verdict is in in the corruption trial of suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini.
Suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini has been found guilty on two counts and not guilty on the other four counts against her in the federal corruption trial.
She was convicted of two counts of acceptance of things of value to influence and reward.
Beldini showed no reaction but her daughter, Bianca, is slumped in her seat behind her.
Defense attorney Brian Neary has his hands clasped in front of his face.
Beldini was found not guilty of conspiracy to commit extortion under the color of official right, attempted extortion under the color of official right and one count of acceptance of things of value to influence and reward.
The two counts she was found guilty on refer to a March 26, 2009, $10,000 payment from government informant Solomon Dwek that went to Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's reelection campaign. for which Beldini was treasurer, and to a May 5, 2009, $10,000 payment that also went to Healy's campaign.
As the jury was being polled, Beldini was looking at the jurors with her chin up.
U.S. District Court Judge Jose Linares has thanked and dismissed the jurors.
Sentencing is set for June 1.
Defense attorney Brian Neary said he would file an appeal of the convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Moser and Thomas Calcagni showed no emotion during the reading of the verdict and had no comment afterward.
Neary said there will be a statement to the press.

Vega is next!

So does this get us closer to Healy!


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What is the deal with Kabili Tayari?

Did he ever go to court for his arrest by the P.A.P.D?

His salary was $104,872 for 2009?

Do we even need 2 deputy mayors??

GUILTY !!! The verdict just came in.

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I'm surprised the jury wasn't sequestered. Esp. since it's a corruption charge and the press its getting.
In Brooklyn 10 years ago I was sequestered during deliberations for a criminal trial that got zero press.

No verdict yet; Beldini jury goes home for the day

By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal
February 09, 2010, 4:54PM

The jury deliberating the fate of suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini has gone home for the day and were told to resume their deliberations at the federal courthouse in Newark at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Citing the expected snowstorm, U.S. District Judge Jose Linares told the eight men and four women to stay home tomorrow.

The jury asked four questions in two notes today, their first day of deliberations.

Beldini, who served as Mayor Jerramiah Healy's campaign treasurer, is accused of taking $20,000 in bribes from a purported real estate developer who was really a government informant and illegally funneling the money into Healy's reelection warchest.

If convicted of all six corruption charges, she faces up to 20 years in prison.

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Jury still deliberating in Leona Beldini corruption trial

By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal
February 09, 2010, 2:47PM

NEWARK -- There hasn't been a peep out of the jury deliberating in the corruption trial of suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini since about 12:45 today when U.S. District Court Judge Jose Linares told them they can have the transcripts of the secretly recorded audio and video tapes created by Solomon Dwek for the government.

The jury also asked for the federal statute on bribery, and was told it would be provided.

Solomon Dwek, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud, is the central figure in case. He doled out cash in exchange for preferential treatment on a Garfield Avenue development that in reality never existed.
The first day of deliberation the trial of the 74-year-old former burlesque queen began at 10 a.m. today and will likely end at 3:30, a half hour early, because Linares teaches a class at Seton Hall University on Tuesday evenings.

Beldini spent the day on a bench in hallway outside Linares' courtroom and her attorney, Brian Neary, has also hovered around the area.

Beldini is the first caught up in July's massive corruption sting to be tried. Eight Jersey City officials, including former Councilman Philip Kenny, have pleaded guilty.

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You haven't figured it out yet? Healy is the other informant the FBI refused to discuss or name that they claimed they have other then Dwek. Would not surprise me if he knew the conversation was being recorded. It is no coincidence every one under him gets arrested and he never gets charged but still received a visit from the FBI the day before the big raid. I personally don't think he will be charged with anything.

Whether Healy is or is'nt guilty of criminal activity will be told as the clock winds down on all the trials and testimony.
However it comes out for Healy he must be held accountable for his incompetence in the governance of this city. If not for his neglect the bulk of the people caught up in this scandal would not have been in their jobs. The budget nightmare would not exist, crime would truly be going down and not as his mindless press conference on the subject would have us believe, and there would be at least, a modicum, of quality of life. Healy and his cohorts are our Katrina like it or not.

Yeah, that's how I want things done in my city.

the us attorney's office always wants a rock-solid case against a high profile individual. Because Healy was not stupid and didn;t say all the right (illegal) things on the video, the prosecutors have to put together a more circumstantial case. That's why the others were arrested first, some will talk, Healy may be called as a witness in the Beldini trial, and additional info will be gathered that will likely be the nail in the coffin for Healy. SLow, methodical, careful--that's the US Attorneys way. But I must say that the vidwo with Healy acknowledging the 10 grand and additional 10 grand may very well be sufficient to put him in legal jeopardy: "thanks David, its good for us good for the city" or something like that. Very damaging.

Looks to me like Healy never took any money. He just had others take it for him.

Seriously !!! How is Healy not guilty of any wrong doing here ?
There must be another reason he has not been Arrested.
Does anyone have any idea why he has not been Arrested ?- YET

In this video Healy seems to acknowledge the payment. I love the promised $10,000 "after" the election. Hopefully this will be his undoing.

NJ corruption trial hidden camera video shows Jack Shaw getting money and discussions about favors for Dwek in discussions with Healy and Beldini