Wayne Bryant 
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Tue Mar 09, 2010 at 04:30:00 PM EST
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If you violate your public office and are charged with a crime, the NJ Supreme Court issued a ruling yesterday affirming ELEC's decision that you can't use campaign funds to pay for a defense. That led to this quote from Justice Barry Albin:"Despite blaring headlines that announce the most recent prosecution and conviction of a public official, we have yet to reach the point when it can be said that defending against a federal or state criminal indictment alleging corrupt practices is an 'ordinary' expense of holding public office," Good. You shouldn't be able to use money you raise from people to represent them for defending yourself after doing wrong by them.
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Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 07:08:27 AM EDT
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Today is the day for Wayne Bryant:Former state Sen. Wayne Bryant will serve a four-year sentence at the minimum-security camp in Beckley, W.Va. Bryant was convicted in November of fraud and bribery charges.
Jurors found the lawmaker took a "low-show" job at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in exchange for bringing state money to the institution. I don't know that I've seen the term "low-show" job before. Bryant is due at the prison sometime today to begin serving his sentence.
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Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 04:52:00 PM EDT
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U.S. District Court Judge Freda Wolfson has rejected requests by Wayne Bryant to have the jury verdict overturned, denying their motions for a new trial.The judge rejected claims that prosecutors presented evidence insufficient for a jury to reach a conviction saying:"Contrary to defendants' claims, the record contains evidence which demonstrates that defendants sought to engage in a quid pro quo arrangement where Bryant would be hired by SOM and compensated for prospective official actions taken in his capacity as a New Jersey senator," Wolfson wrote in a 36-page opinion issued recently. The judge rejected Bryants appeal saying the timing of his official actions as a senator and his receipt of a pensionable $35,000-a year salary from UMDNJ plus a $5,000 bonus "were not mere coincidence." Bryant faces more than 15 years in federal prison, but the judge has wide discretion in handing down a sentence. They haven't set a new scheduling date after the initial delay in March.
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Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 09:03:41 PM EDT
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When Senator Bryant requested to use his campaign fund to pay for his criminal defense, ELEC said no. That decision was backed up by a state appeals court and ELEC made the rule change official yesterday: 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. Well it shouldn't be a part of the ordinary and necessary duties, but with all the recent stories I'm sure plenty of people are wondering how rare an occurrence this situation really is. I'm glad ELEC made the clarification and rules change so that this won't be an issue going forward. If people choose to profit from the public trust, they shouldn't be able to benefit from the financial support given to put them in the position when questions about their actions are raised. They can use the profits they made to defend themselves.
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Thu Dec 04, 2008 at 06:57:38 PM EST
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Elected Officials who run afoul of the law are going to have to find a different way to pay for their defense because they won't be able to use the campaign warchest. Wayne Bryant wanted to use some of his $640,000 campaign fund to pay his legal bills. First he was denied by ELEC and today that decision was upheld by a state appeals court:"Even in an era when public officials are being called with increasing frequency to answer criminal charges of corruption in office, their legal defense costs could hardly be described as an 'ordinary' expense of office-holding," the judges wrote. Bryant's team has a few weeks to appeal to the Supreme Court and haven't decided whether they will. I understand the money was donated to the official, but it was for the purpose of electing them to office not helping to avoid incarceration in prison. If you violate the public trust, you shouldn't be able to benefit from the faith they put in you before you let them down.
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Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 02:38:24 PM EST
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Former state senator Wayne Bryant and former UMDJ dean R. Michael Gallagher were found guilty today:
The federal jury convicted Bryant on a bribery charge for soliciting a job at the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Camden County and using his influence as budget chairman to help the school acquire $10.5 million in state grants between 2003 and 2006.
The jury also found Bryant, 60, of Lawnside, guilty of mail and wire fraud stemming from the $35,000-a-year "low-work" job he got at the school, run by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
PolitickerNJ observes that this keeps perfect Chris Christie's record on convictions for public officials he has charged.
Have at it in the comments. Updated by Jason Springer- Here is a statement from Speaker Roberts:"Today's verdict underscores the need to build upon the reforms we've already implemented in the budget process and go even further on strengthening our ethics laws. I look forward to working with the governor and the Senate to accomplish that goal." And from Alex DeCroce, who not surprisingly shows some love to Chris Christie:"This verdict should send a strong message to elected and appointed officials across New Jersey that if you abuse the power of your office and violate the public trust, you will be held accountable. There are consequences to actions and today Senator Bryant learned that lesson.
"Chris Christie and his staff have set a new high standard for attacking corruption and hopefully our state's next U.S. Attorney will continue to aggressively prosecute public corruption and hold officials accountable for their actions."
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Thu Oct 02, 2008 at 08:42:12 PM EDT
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The trial of Wayne Bryant gave some news today that is sure to have people involved in NJ Politics buzzing:Masked by an obscure state budget account dedicated to property tax relief, key state lawmakers were given millions of taxpayer dollars to hand out to their constituents as they pleased, testimony in the corruption trial of former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Wayne Bryant revealed today.The $40 million Property Tax Assistance and Community Development grants program lawmakers added to the state budgets in 2004 and 2005, was parceled out directly to individual lawmakers for them to spend on pet projects, George LeBlanc, Democratic budget officer, testified.
Bryant, a Camden County Democrat, was allotted $4 million from the fund. Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny, Jr., (D-Hudson), was also given $4 million from the fund, which he shared with other lawmakers, LeBlanc testified. Both Kenny and Bryant left the Senate last year. The story goes on:The testimony contrasts with claims by lawmakers that individual grant recipients had to apply to the state Treasurer for funding from the $40 million pool, and that grants were awarded competitively.
"To my knowledge, individual legislators were the deciders," LeBlanc told jurors. "They were the ones who designated which entities would receive amounts of money from the accounts." When asked about the revelation, Senate President Dick Codey offered no comment on advice from his lawyers, while Speaker Roberts put out this statement through Derek Roseman in the Assembly Majority Office:"We're not aware of the specifics of today's testimony, but in recent years we've implemented new rules and regulations that open up the budget process more than ever before and let the public see every requested budget change and exactly who is proposing it." You wonder where this will go next.
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Sat Sep 06, 2008 at 07:18:47 PM EDT
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If Sharpe James was round #1, get ready for round # 2 with the beginning of the Wayne Bryant trial:Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in federal court. Here's what he's charged with:Authorities say he was paid $200,000 over four years by the Gloucester County Board of Social Services, yet worked less than 15 hours total.
He's also accused of holding down a job at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey that had no responsibilities at all.
A judge dismissed charges related to another job at Rutgers University's Camden campus, where he gave just a handful of lectures each year. That charge was dropped because prosecutors never accused him of using his political influence to get the position.
Authorities say the extra jobs boosted Bryant's state pension from $28,000 a year to $81,000. If he's convicted on all counts, he's facing a few years in prison. Bryant tried to say the case was politically motivated, but that argument didn't fly with the judge so things will commence this week.
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Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 08:00:16 PM EST
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Today's quote stems from everyone's favorite ex-State Senator Wayne Bryant, who's in need of some money to pay his defense attorneys. He has asked ELEC for permission to use some of the near $650K in his campaign account to foot the bill which led to this response from Frederick M. Herrmann, the commission's executive director., ..."This is the first formal request we've ever had to decide on the issue of whether or not you can use your campaign contributions for a criminal legal defense," Herrmann said. "The current regulations don't address that." Let's all thank Senator Bryant for another Jersey first. The commission will consider his request at a hearing next Tuesday. I'm sure that's what all the people wanted when they gave him money, even though they may have known in the back of their mind that it might end this way. Take the poll below the fold and tell us whether you think he should be able to use the money for his defense.
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Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 09:11:21 PM EST
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It's the end of an era tomorrow in Trenton as the Senators Bryant and James will grace the Statehouse for the final time. And as a progressive blogger covering that beat, I could not be more relieved.If you have any personal messages you'd like me to pass onto them on their way out, kindly leave it in the comments section. The sentiments will be lovingly transcribed onto parchment by yours truly and given to them in an elaborate ceremony in the Statehouse rotunda. Just kidding. But go ahead and take a thoughtful poke at the outgoing Senators. It's ok to have a little fun at their expense. God knows they've had fun at ours.
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Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 09:20:47 AM EST
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We just heard that corrupt legislator Wayne Bryant's trial for corruption has been moved to May from December. We're not sure why, but apparently the defense requested the delay.
Any hints or links, please drop them in the comments.
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Thu Jul 19, 2007 at 10:49:29 PM EDT
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Recently, President Bush commuted the 30-month sentence of Scooter Libby, Vice-President Cheney's former Chief of Staff and an accomplished attorney. Libby had been convicted of lying to the grand jury. By commuting his sentence, the President ensured that Libby would serve no jail time. This is the same President who has presided over a Justice Department that prosecuted others when they lied before grand juries. In one such case, a person was sentenced to more months in prison than Libby. His sentence was not commuted by the President. When the imposition of punishment is based on caprice and political considerations rather than on the common good, our system of justice is undermined. When it is the President who is undermining our nation's system of justice, it is a national embarrassment.
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There's More...
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Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 12:27:51 PM EDT
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(Important update. - promoted by Juan Melli)
Update: The Associated Press reports that Cryan is calling for both Sharpe James and Wayne Bryant to resign.
PoliticsNJ is reporting that Democratic State Chairman and Assemblyman Joe Cryan is calling for Senator Sharpe James to step down: "Enough's enough," Cryan said. "I believe he should resign." [...]
"Why not bring in somebody new and have them represent the district," said Cryan. "Teresa Ruiz would be excellent in that role. Why not step in now." There's not much else to add, except that Senator Wayne Bryant should also resign for the same reasons we stated before:Whether Bryant will spend time in prison, and how much, is up to a jury and judge. But his continued presence in the legislature taints every action taken by good and honest legislators. Better Bryant cast no votes than potentially corrupt votes.
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Mon May 14, 2007 at 05:23:52 PM EDT
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(Trenton)--
I surprised Senator Bryant (and myself) when my camera went off in the Senate chambers earlier today. (Note to self: yes, this thing does work!)
 Enjoy and be kind.
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Mon Apr 30, 2007 at 08:24:19 AM EDT
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Over the past few months, the revelations of Senator Wayne Bryant's backroom dealing have demonstrated that his legislative career long ago transitioned from public service to personal enrichment. While a jury must consider him "innocent until proven guilty," the voters, the party and Blue Jersey are under no such restraint and the evidence is overwhelmingly against him.
And any reading of the evidence can only lead to one conclusion: Wayne Bryant must go.
It is incumbent on those entrusted with public service to set aside personal gain in order to best serve their constituents. Bryant failed at this simple task. From arranging no-show jobs for himself to padding state contracts for campaign contributors, he missed no opportunity to fleece the public for personal benefit. This should not be tolerated.
Bryant must not be allowed to ride off quietly into the sunset at the end of his term like some cowboy hero - instead he must be pressured to resign immediately, surrounded by his cloud of disgrace and shame he built with his own actions.
Whether Bryant will spend time in prison, and how much, is up to a jury and judge. But his continued presence in the legislature taints every action taken by good and honest legislators. Better Bryant cast no votes than potentially corrupt votes.
When we call for Bryant's resignation, we are not contemplating the end of this week, month, legislative session, or term. He should leave immediately, today. And if he will not go willingly, the Senate Democratic leadership that has so publicly called for an end to the corruption Bryant so brilliantly symbolizes should take action to force him out, today. There is no benefit to delay just as there is no compromise with corruption.
Wayne Bryant must go, and the sooner the better.
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Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 08:40:08 AM EDT
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- The Star-Ledger has a brief list of highlights of yesterday's filing deadline for Essex & Morris; and for Susses & Warren Counties. The Jersey Journal has a laundry list of filings, The Press of Atlantic City lists the races in the South East of Our Fair State, and the Gloucester County Times covers their races. The APP has a list of races in shore towns, The Times of Trenton covers Mercer, and and The Courier-Post reviews Camden/Burlington County races.
- The "Reform Democrats of Union County" missed the deadline to file by fifteen minutes. It is expected they will challenge the Union County Clerk's decision not to accept their filing in court.
- Wayne Bryant appeared in court yesterday and pleaded Not Guilty. There's a joke in here about him showing up for court when he never showed up for work, but it's just too easy. The trial is set to begin in January.
- An Appellate Court yesterday reversed a decision in Bergen County, saying the $108 million in management fees the county pays to Bergen Regional Medical Center LP annually could be excessive and that a huge, unsecured loan did not appear to benefit the public. A lawsuit by NJ Citizen Action and county residents can now go forward.
- Hamilton Twp. (Mercer Co.) has been back and forth on building a transit village near its train station for three years. Now, the developer is suing the township in order to go forward with the plans, insisting the Republican town council is playing politics.
- Steve Politi reminds Don Imus that there are very real women playing basketball for Rutgers. Very real, very bright women who work very hard.
What say you, Blue Jersey? Open Thread...
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Mon Apr 09, 2007 at 01:35:33 PM EDT
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On the same day that I will be filing my petition to run for County Committee, I have to go to court to answer baseless charges.
Of course, my legal problems (a speeding ticket) are a little less serious than Wayne's, but I feel a kinship with him at this moment and hope that when his corrupt ass gets convicted, he doesn't have to spend more time in prison than John Lynch.
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Fri Mar 30, 2007 at 10:14:20 AM EDT
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You already know that Wayne Bryant was indicted. This article describes how multiple jobs can boost pensions. If you wonder what Bryant's defenders think -- and remember that Blue Jersey is not among them -- see Mixed emotions over Bryant charges in the Inquirer. The Inquirer also has a profile of Dr. Michael Gallager who was also indicted. Finally, check this column which considers this a warning for higher education.
Christie rejected a call to investigate Corzine's gifts to Katz. That's the kind of restraint that got other USAG's fired. He is (reportedly) seeking info on Sharpe James.
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew wants to legalize sports betting. My first thought is that this could be a move to build support to challenge Frank LoBiondo, but then again, I might be totally off base.
By the way, at Blue Jersey we are using the tags of the form "LD3" and "LD37" to refer to legislative districts. "NJ3", etc. are reserved for the congressional districts.
Senator Menendez is outraged that Republicans blocked a resolution honoring Cesar Chavez.
PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo called for tough greenhouse gas limits in front of Congress, breaking with most utility executives.
Public Service Announcement I: Several MVC offices are unable to process licenses due to a verizon glitch. Is this the place to complain that not only did my verizon service not work last night, but the outsourced call center employees who read off scripts are completely useless? If you have a phone line problem, you get a knowledgable union guy, but DSL is hopeless.
Public Service Annoucement II: New schedules for buses and trains are going into effect.
Finally, Cynthia Burton of the Inquirer observes that the Republican state senate delegation is moving right as moderates retire:
"It's inevitable we are going to get more conservatives because a bunch of the people retiring are not conservative," said Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R., Morris), one of a handful of conservative legislators who refer to themselves as the Mountain Men.
I imagine that the name "Mountain Men" was chosen to signal how out of touch the group is with New Jersey. jmelli has already noted the racial angle. Another interesting quote is here:
Kevin Collins, a conservative Republican strategist, has been advising clients for years to run to the right. He's working on the "Reagan Republican Team" race in Bergen, Passaic and Essex Counties.
Collins says the party can get support from socially conservative Democrats - the kind who voted for President Ronald Reagan - with more conservative candidates.
Apparently he did not read yesterday's column by David Brooks which rejects the Reagan/Goldwater tradition in favor of authoritarianism.
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Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 01:22:41 PM EDT
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US Attorney Chris Christie will be making a major announcement this afternoon. The Star Ledger says it's about Wayne Bryant.State Sen. Wayne Bryant is expecting to be indicted today, his attorney said only moments ago.
Speaking at a forum in New Brunswick, prominent South Jersey defense attorney Carl Poplar said he expects a federal grand jury to return an indictment, but declined to comment further.
The U.S. Attorney's office earlier today issued an advisory saying only that a "significant announcement" relating to a "high level public official" was likely this afternoon. Oink? *sniffle* Oink?
Update: Also indicted was former Dean of UMDNJ, R. Michael Gallagher.
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