Coniglio sentenced to 2.5 years

by: Rosi Efthim

Tue Sep 01, 2009 at 12:32:04 PM EDT

He was convicted in April of funneling state money to Hackensack University Medical Center after securing a high-paying consulting job there for himself.  The Medical Center paid him more than $100,000 to help them secure $1 million in state grants.

Coniglio's lawyer had asked U.S. District Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh to sentence his client to probation.

Coniglio was on the Senate Budget Committee, and in an ideal position to exploit a tradition that allowed lawmakers to award millions of dollars in state grants without much oversight.

Coniglio seeks "a substantial" variance to avoid jail

by: Jason Springer

Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 01:30:00 PM EDT

Coniglio's attorney, Gerald Krovatin, submitted a 22-page sentencing memorandum along with 84 letters from family, friends and supporters urging the judge to be lenient.

He asked Cavanaugh to consider granting "a substantial" variance from the range sought by the government, and offered a menu of sentencing options.

He asked Cavanaugh to consider granting "a substantial" variance from the range sought by the government, and offered a menu of sentencing options.

"If the court cannot justify imposing a non-custodial sentence with appropriate conditions of home confinement and community service, defendant Coniglio asks the court to impose either a split sentence involving some minimal incarceration [no more than six months] combined with home confinement, or a sentence of imprisonment no longer than a year and a day," Krovatin wrote.

"The hospital that paid the alleged bribes and benefited from the alleged extortion scheme to the tune of tens of millions of dollars was not charged," said Krovatin. Nor were its president, who allegedly directed that Coniglio be hired, nor the fund-raising executive who "relentlessly pursued" Coniglio for state grants, nor any of the "wealthy and politically connected directors," who approved his hiring, the attorney said.

"In hindsight of course, Joseph Coniglio should never have taken the consulting job with HUMC. But that was not obvious to him at the time.

"He thought he was successfully navigating his way, with the advice of counsel and his legislative peers, around any 'third rail' conflicts of interest in his job at HUMC. As all the letter writers to the court have expressed in one way or another, Joseph Coniglio never would have taken the job at HUMC if he thought for one moment that he was doing anything wrong," Krovatin said.

ELEC officially bans use of campaign funds for legal defense

by: Jason Springer

Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 09:03:41 PM EDT

The rule enacted yesterday clarifies the original commission opinion, saying that legal fees and other expenses for a candidate or officeholder's criminal defense are not "ordinary and necessary" duties. The commission will notify the state Supreme Court -- which is considering Bryant's appeal -- of the changes, said executive director Frederick Herrmann.

But the new rule does not apply retroactively, Herrmann said.

Deep Thought

by: Jason Springer

Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 05:04:13 PM EDT

If they really think it's the system that made the man in this case, then fix the system already so we have to stop seeing support after another one of their friends prepares to serve time. And if they want to offer support, at least acknowledge the larger problem that needs to be tackled.

Coniglio convicted on 6 counts of mail fraud & extortion

by: Jason Springer

Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:24:30 PM EDT

The verdict, coming after four days of deliberations, found Coniglio guilty on five counts of defrauding the public of his honest services and one count of extortion. He was acquitted on two mail fraud counts; the jury said it was unable to reach a verdict on a third mail fraud charge.

"Sen. Coniglio sold his public office for his own gain," she said.

Each count comes with the potential penalty of 20 years in prison, but Brown said the U.S. Attorney?s Office would pursue sentencing of between 78 and 97 months.

I commend the U.S. Attorney's Office for its continued success in fighting political corruption," said in a statement released by his campaign today. "The result validates the confidence the office had in seeking the indictment in the first place.  Senator Coniglio's guilty verdict is just the latest example of why a comprehensive reform plan is so badly needed in Trenton.

The jury has rendered its verdict, and I respect it. I have always known Joe Coniglio to be a caring and dedicated individual, and this decision in no way changes my feelings for him.

Reset the Corruption Calendar!

by: Scott Weingart

Tue Jul 08, 2008 at 09:28:44 AM EDT

Former state Sen. Joseph Coniglio collected $40,000 in consulting fees from the developers of Fort Lee's floundering Centuria project - a deal that is now part of U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie's influence-peddling probe of the plumber-politician.

[snip]

Coniglio received $5,000 a month over eight months for attending six meetings with the Bergen County Building and Construction Trades Council, an AFL-CIO group that represents 15,000 skilled workers.

Centuria paid Coniglio $6,666.67 a meeting for six meetings with a labor union. That's ridiculous, but certainly not surprising. Recall that Coniglio was indicted in February for steering state funding to Hackensack University Medical Center in exchange for $103,000 in plumbing consultant fees.

Bergen County Corruption Calendar
Corruption-free for 0 days
Longest corruption-free streak: 9 days
Running since June 22, 2008

Previous Stories
July 3: Another day, another BCDO corruption story
June 22: Ferriero's slush fund

Can I get a refund?

by: Juan Melli

Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 12:08:18 AM EST

Retired state Sen. Joseph Coniglio (D-Bergen) spent almost his entire campaign war chest last fall on the criminal attorney defending him against allegations he steered millions of dollars in state grants to a hospital that paid him consulting fees, state records show.

Coniglio tapped his re-election campaign account for $90,000 in August and September to pay Newark attorney Gerald Krovatin, according to campaign disclosure reports filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Outside those legal fees, Coniglio spent only $13,000 on his aborted re-election campaign, according to the records.

Who is the most corrupt? Sharpe James? Joe Coniglio? Wayne Bryant? Take the poll below!

A Parting Shot From Senator Joe Coniglio

by: Nick Lento

Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 04:02:46 PM EST

It's S2955 "The Material Price Stabilization Act".  Who would want unstable prices for material, eh?

http://www.njleg.sta... (voted out after a second reading Dec 3rd)

Hall says

The bill, the Material Price Stabilization Act, could be a dream come true for any contractor who wants to bid for a government contract.

Contractors on municipal and county construction jobs would be free to raise the cost of the contract after the bids were accepted and awarded at an agreed upon price.

Hall is 100% right. This bill has pay to play written in between every line of its text.  We're not being ripped off enough; now they'll be able to increase the costs after contracts have been signed.  What a lovely way to do business eh?

It's obvious that only someone like Coniglio who is leaving office under a cloud and who's career as an elected official is kaput; would dare sponsor/introduce such a dog.  (No offense to canines intended;-)

Guess who Chairs the subcommittee that let this monster Chihuahua loose?

I wish them luck

by: carolh

Sat Sep 15, 2007 at 11:58:31 AM EDT

Towns in LD38: Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Elmwood Park, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, Lodi, Paramus, Ridgefield, Saddle Brook, South Hackensack, Teterboro

It isn't easy.  When Byron Baer stepped down for honest reasons in LD37, the BCDO was thrown all into a frenzy and it hasn't cleared up yet.  That was TWO years ago.  This Sunday night at 6 pm, the folks from the BCDO and the County Committee folks from District 38 - the municipal chairs that hold county jobs, will decide who the replacement will be.  Hence the political jokes about the white smoke rising from 50 Main street like we were talking about the Vatican choosing the next Pope. 

I dearly hope they can agree on the best choice to represent the entire population of the 38th.  Not just the Pay to Play crowd.

Here is why I am concerned:  Corzine says he's for ethics reform.  Just not at this moment in time.

Why not, sir?  Explain.  Quickly, before we lose the entire NJ legislature to the Republicans.

Coniglio Drops Out

by: Juan Melli

Wed Sep 12, 2007 at 06:01:40 PM EDT

"I have given a lot of thought to my upcoming re-election campaign, and determined that it is in the best interests of Democratic Party, and, more importantly, my family, for me to step aside and not seek re-election to the State Senate.  I am proud of my record of public service and know in my heart that I served my constituency in an honest and hard working manner.

"When making this difficult decision, I spoke with many friends and colleagues, including Senator Codey, Speaker Roberts, Chairman Ferriero, and most importantly my wife, Valerie, and my entire family.

"We decided that we could not in good conscience allow certain false perceptions to tarnish the Senate or our elected officials.  This does not mean that I believe I any of the accusations attributed to me have merit.  On the contrary, my decision to retire will allow me the time to fight the false accusations that my consulting work at Hackensack University Medical Center had any connection to two state grants the hospital received.

Bergen County Democratic Chair Joe Ferriero praised the decision:

"I have to commend him, because he has put the Democratic Party first, above his own personal interests, by withdrawing from this race."

Report: Coniglio Will Bow Out

by: Juan Melli

Tue Sep 11, 2007 at 01:04:03 PM EDT

State Sen. Joseph Coniglio, who is the target of a federal corruption investigation, has agreed to drop his bid for re-election in the 38th district. Coniglio had resisted intense internal pressure from Bergen Democratic leaders to drop out of the race, but has now told Democratic officials that he would end his bid for a third term.

But Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero is strongly denying that Coniglio is dropping out, saying the report is "absolutely not true."

PoliticsNJ: Ferriero Will Ask Coniglio to Step Aside

by: Juan Melli

Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 01:56:43 PM EDT

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero will push State Senator Joseph Coniglio to drop his bid for re-election, according to sources close to the Bergen Democratic leader. But Ferriero, who paid for a poll earlier this month to test voter reaction to Coniglio as the target of a federal criminal investigation, has not yet told Coniglio that the party will ask him to end his campaign for a third term.

Where's the consistency Senator Allen?

by: Jason Springer

Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 06:45:11 PM EDT

It is difficult to make an informed decision without all the facts and even more difficult to know if we have all the relevant information we need.

Senator Coniglio may turn out to be a deserving target, but not only have my state tax dollars been wasted, but my local tax dollars have been looted as well and I haven't seen you "seeking all the facts" and "getting all the information we need."  In the interest of consistency, please seek out all the relevant information so that we can make the most informed decision with all the facts on these situations as well.  Thank you.

Quote of the Day

by: Jason Springer

Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 07:51:32 PM EDT

Is it me or is this starting to look like the Tour de France?

BCD'Oh My God, Part II

by: Juan Melli

Wed Jun 20, 2007 at 12:55:44 AM EDT

Democratic sources say that if the Coniglio's woes continue, he'll face pressure to drop his bid for re-election to a third term. They say that Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero won't chance a loss of the Senate seat to the struggling Republican Party. [...]

The conventional wisdom is that Democrats would turn to Assemblyman Robert Gordon, who has also been subpoenaed as part of the federal probe of state budget items, or Paramus Mayor James Tedesco.

We've been receiving anonymous tips indicating that Coniglio's head is on the chopping block at a pace we haven't seen since the BCDO dropped their primary challenge to Senator Weinberg.

Seems like something is about to go down...

Will Matt Ahearn open up a 2nd front in Bergen County?

by: rachael'sdad

Sat Apr 07, 2007 at 01:52:10 PM EDT

I don't know if he has lined up State Assembly running mates yet, but Nick Lento has already mentioned that he lives in the 38th.  I am sure that others could be found.

It would also be wonderful if challengers in the 36th could be recruited as well.

More Bergen County News

by: carolh

Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 01:03:05 PM EDT

Or this:
Senator's dual roles blur ethics boundaries about more Coniglio and Ferriero follies?

Let me tell you all a little story about Hackensack University Medical Center and the way they use Lawyers there.  In 2004, I went to the Allergy Center because I am THE poster child for food allergy.  Anyway, funny little thing happened a year later.  I get a bill from the hospital saying that I exceeded my benefits for that year.  After calling my insurance company and being told that I didn't owe that amount because the insurance co has a contract with the hospital and the hospital was ILLEGALLY balance billing me, I got a letter from the insurance co that I gave to the hospital informing them that a) I was covered, b) I did not EXCEED my benefits and c) all the hospital had to do was get the insurance company a proper bill.  Guess what happened.  The hospital billing Dept. went to collections anyway, destroyed my credit rating and took me to court.  Over a $400 bill.  Being a curious kid, I went online to the Judiciary info, and looked up how to fight it.  I filed a motion to vacate the judgement, sent the court the 21 pages of backup that proved my case and went to court when my case came up.  By that time the insurance company had paid the bill and as I stood there in court I watched the hospitals attorney tell the judge they were dropping the case against me because the insurance company was paying the bill.  As I was leaving the courtroom with the attorney I said to him - it's not your fault, the billing dept went after me no matter what I did.  He hung his head down in shame and sighed "They're just terrible".  I still had to fight to clear up my credit rating months later since a JUDGEMENT against me still appeared on my credit report and it looked like they just harrassed me until I paid.  It took me 2 and a half years to clear this up.

Then in 2006, I wound up in the hospital overnight, and got a $40,000 bill for an overnight stay, that my insurance company would not pay - I bypassed the billing Dept and went right to consumer affairs.  Suddenly, oh, it was all a mistake, and it got cleared up right away. 

I really think insurance companies get a bad rap because the Billing depts in Hospitals are extremely unethical in their practices.  We should really be examining the Billing practices if we are going to vilify the Insurance Companies.  At least that is what I observed from my horrific experiences with HUMC. 

Be VERY careful to examine EVERYTHING You get from the Hackensack University Medical Center billing Department.  They will take you to court in a heartbeat even if you are in the right.  They assume you did not save the backup like I did and they assume you would rather just pay the bill to get the lawyers off your back EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWE IT. They have an ARMY of lawyers, that they use when it is NOT warranted.

But, I digress,

I'm starting to see connections between Ferriero and zoning and eminent domain and frankly, it's giving me the Willies.  Especially when I know that Paul Sarlo and Joe Ferriero are bestest buddies.
Paul Sarlo and EnCap

See this one too:
EnCap Hires Xanadu Exec

The pressure on us Northern Valley towns from the Bergen County Executive about our Northern Valley rail line extension is starting to make an awful lot more sense.......

Friday Rumor Mill

by: Juan Melli

Fri Feb 16, 2007 at 09:27:40 PM EST

As always, take this and all rumors with a big grain of salt.

38th - Better Know A District

by: jerzay

Thu Jan 18, 2007 at 04:19:15 PM EST

Senator Joe Coniglio (Paramus), Assemblyman Bob Gordon (Fair Lawn) and Assemblywoman Joan Voss (Fort Lee) represent the district in Trenton.  These three legislators come from the three largest towns in the district.