FBI videos released at Beldini trial

by: Jason Springer

Sun Jan 31, 2010 at 12:13:28 PM EST

The trial of former Jersey Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini got under way this week and along with the testimony of Solomon Dwek, the prosecution showed videos he took while working under cover for the FBI.

Black-and-white recordings shot by a tiny hidden camera depict meetings at Hudson County diners and a luncheonette where the informant, Solomon Dwek, tries to arrange a bribe to the deputy mayor, Leona Beldini, in exchange for help securing approvals for a 750-unit condominium building he claimed to be developing. Jurors watched their first clips in federal court in Newark

The defense may want the whole tapes shown so that they can argue there is some kind of context to the conversations and statements as the pieces don't always make their client look very good:

Dwek does most of the talking on the tapes and makes clear what he is offering. Beldini's attorneys will no doubt try to spin it that JC Political Consultants Jack Shaw and Edward Cheatam are the ones that were playing the game:

Authorities say Dwek funneled the bribes to Beldini through Shaw and Cheatam, who converted them into donations for Healy's campaign. Beldini, Healy's campaign treasurer, never took money directly from Dwek. But on prosecutors' videos, it appears she may have known who was actually donating.

Cheatam has plead guilty and is going to testify against Beldini, while Shaw was found dead of a valium overdose just after his arrest last summer. Beldini seems to make it clear that everyone, including the Mayor knows what is going on. And Healy himself is all over the tapes as Dwek talks to him about giving money and what it will get him:

As Healy got up to leave, Dwek followed him and said he had donated $10,000 to his campaign previously and that he would give Shaw another $10,000 that day.
"Dave, thank you so much," Healy says - using the Dwek's phony name - as the video records him. He tells Dwek he wants to keep working with him.
"It's good for the city, it's good for everybody," Healy says.

Healy hasn't been charged with anything and maintains he has done nothing wrong. Beldini is charged with taking $20,000 in bribes from Dwek and faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted. The Jersey City Independent has a familiar face at Blue Jersey, JRB covering the trial as well.

Jason Springer :: FBI videos released at Beldini trial

Tags: Jersey City, leona beldini, Jeremiah Healy, Mayor Healy, corruption, Solomon Dwek, Chris Christie, (All Tags)

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FBI videos released at Beldini trial | 3 comments

Thanks for taking note (4.00 / 1)

Look for more pieces this week. My take on Day Five went live this evening.

by: JRB @ Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 01:18:45 AM UTC

More great work JRB (4.00 / 2)

It really seems like the story is the guy who wasn't indicted in Healy and you alluded to that with this line in your latest coverage:

Maybe it was a couple of extra handshakes. Or bending down to pick up that quarter he dropped. Could've been the moment he waited for the car to pass until he crossed the street.
What's clear is this: a few seconds on April 30, 2009 saved Jerramiah Healy's ass.
Otherwise, he might no longer be mayor of Jersey Cit

Dwek seems like a fascinating character and you wonder what the jury ultimately thinks of him, because it would seem his credibility as a witness will dictate this and many of other cases.

by: Jason Springer @ Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 02:24:31 AM UTC

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