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Pennacchio: SCI Report on Veterans Homes Underscores Findings from DOJ but More Answers Are Needed
Senator Joe Pennacchio slammed the Murphy Administration’s handling of State-run veterans homes following a report issued by the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) that revealed insufficient care for residents at memorial homes at Menlo Park and Paramus.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio slammed the Murphy Administration’s handling of State-run veterans homes following a report issued by the SCI that revealed insufficient care for residents at memorial homes at Menlo Park and Paramus. (©iStock)
“Once again, another investigative body illustrates how this administration failed our veterans. From the start of the pandemic, hundreds of American heroes have died due to inadequate medical care and a lack of effective management and oversight,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “After three years of Democrats in the Legislature stonewalling calls for a comprehensive investigation, it is now time to hold this administration accountable for the immense harm done to veterans.”
Testa Sends Letter Calling for Senate Investigation of AG’s Office
Senate Judiciary Committee member Michael Testa announced today that he sent a joint letter with the full Senate Republican Caucus to Senate President Nicholas Scutari calling for an investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJU) into the Attorney General’s Office’s handling of a 2019 criminal prosecution. Senator Testa initially called for an investigation on September 22 when news about the Menendez indictment first broke.
Sen. Testa sent a joint letter with the full Senate Republican Caucus to Senate President Nicholas Scutari calling for an investigation by the SJU into the Attorney General’s Office’s handling of a 2019 criminal prosecution. (Pixabay)
“When there are allegations of egregious behavior taking place within State offices the public deserves to know the truth. It would be a gross dereliction of duty to ignore these allegations. The public deserves to know whether certain protocols were followed at the Attorney General’s Office so we can protect the integrity of our legal institutions through legislative action,” said Senator and Judiciary Committee Member Michael Testa (R-1). “It is time for the Senate to return to Trenton so the Judiciary Committee can do its job and provide oversight where it is clearly needed. I hope that our Democratic colleagues join us in supporting this effort to answer the public’s call to action.”
Senate Republicans Call for Investigation into AG’s Office in Letter to Senate President
The Senate Republican Caucus, led by the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJU), Senators Anthony M. Bucco, Kristin M. Corrado, Jon Bramnick, and Michael Testa, issued a letter to Senate President Nicholas Scutari to call for the SJU to be reconvened to investigate certain matters contained in U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s indictment that implicate the Attorney General’s Office. The letter calls on our Democratic colleagues in the Senate to pledge their support toward reconvening the Senate and initiating an investigation with special counsel and subpoena power in the immediate coming days.
The Senate Republican Caucus issued a letter to Senate President Nicholas Scutari that calls for the SJU to launch an investigation with special counsel and subpoena power. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s no secret that the indictment alleges Senator Menendez tried to use his elected office as a means to pressure our State Attorney General to influence the outcome of a criminal prosecution. We are respectfully requesting that we retain special counsel and subpoena power to ensure that the Office was not, and has not, been compromised by the influence peddling of Senator Menendez,” said the Senate Republican Leader and Judiciary Committee member Anthony M. Bucco (R-25). “This is the right thing to do. The Attorney General’s Office is integral for seeking and providing justice for all New Jerseyans. It is the duty of the Legislature and this committee to maintain checks and balances and investigate allegations of corruption so that we can maintain the public trust.”
O’Scanlon to Reintroduce Bill Revoking Public Pensions for Corrupt Officials
Durr to Join as Co-Prime Sponsor of Legislation
Senator Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he is reintroducing legislation from 2008 that would revoke public pensions for government officials and employees who are convicted of any crime while in office. Senator Edward Durr (R-3) will sign on as a co-prime sponsor of the bill.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon announced that he is reintroducing legislation from 2008 that would revoke public pensions for government officials and employees who are convicted of any crime while in office. Sen. Edward Durr will sign on as a co-prime sponsor of the bill. (SenateNJ.com)
“Senator Menendez has a state pension based of off a $48,000 salary, and if convicted of selling his office for bars of gold, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz, he will collect more than $200,000 in public pension payments over the next 20 years. These payments are funded by taxpayers and rank-and-file public employees alike,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “This is a slap in the face to taxpayers and this reform is long overdue.”
Durr to Introduce Bill to Increase Mandatory Minimums for Bribery Convictions
Senator Ed Durr announced his intention to introduce a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum term of incarceration for sentencing related to bribery charges.
Sen. Ed Durr intends to introduce a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum term of incarceration for sentencing related to bribery charges. (©iStock)
“If legislators are serious about rooting out corruption from public offices we need to establish stricter penalties. Elected officials who are convicted of bribery need more than a slap on the wrist to deter this despicable behavior,” said Durr (R-3). “Taxpayers need to know that public officials will be held accountable if they are convicted of a crime. My bill would require anyone convicted of accepting a bribe to serve a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.”
Senator Bucco Applauds Funding for Key Morris County Initiatives
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement in response to several key resources and programs receiving critical funding in Morris County.
Sen. Anthony Bucco issued the following statement in response to several key resources and programs receiving critical funding in Morris County. (Pixabay)
“Homeless shelters, schools, hospitals and even arts centers all play a crucial role in building prosperous communities. I am pleased to know that through the legislative budget process, several key services and educational programs have received necessary funding to address critical county issues,” said Bucco (R-25). “These groups uplift and provide care for everyone who they come in contact with. I am extremely proud of the bipartisan legislative work that went into securing these important investments.”
Testa Bill to Address Developer Bribes in New Jersey
Senator Michael Testa introduced legislation to address developer bribes in New Jersey after multiple reports of corruption have flown under the radar. Corruption is deeply ingrained in New Jersey, and it is time for the Legislature to act, said the senator.
Sen. Michael Testa introduced legislation to address developer bribes in New Jersey after multiple reports of corruption have flown under the radar. (Pixabay)
“Corruption in New Jersey is not relegated to Senator Menendez. Many have been content to look the other way as dirty money changed hands in places like Hudson and Newark for kickbacks and favors,” said Testa (R-1). “While these bribes and shady development deals have consistently flown under the radar, this administration has failed to take aggressive action to intervene where obvious corruption exists. My legislation seeks to end the persistent culture of corruption.”
Bucco Joins Call for Resignation of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez
Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco has called for the resignation of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez following multiple allegations made in a federal indictment.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco has called for the resignation of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez following multiple allegations made in a federal indictment. (©iStock)
“Senator Menendez, like every American, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair and speedy trial. However, given the very disturbing nature of this indictment, Senator Menendez should resign from his United States Senate seat in Washington,” said Bucco (R-25). “Elected officials must be held to the highest of standards and have the confidence of the people they represent. The allegations are very disturbing, and the Senator has yet to offer any explanation of how he received so much cash and gold bars, and he has not denied improperly disclosing sensitive U.S. information to a foreign government. At this point, having been stripped of his leadership duties, he cannot effectively represent the residents of the State. For that reason, he should resign immediately.”
Testa Calls For Special Legislative Committee to Investigate Attorney General’s Office
Senate Judiciary Committee member, Michael Testa, called on the Legislature to return to Trenton immediately to authorize subpoena power for the Senate Judiciary Committee and retain special counsel to facilitate a thorough investigation of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office handling of a 2019 prosecution involving a businessman with ties to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
Sen. Michael Testa called on the Legislature to return to Trenton immediately to authorize subpoena power for the Senate Judiciary Committee and retain special counsel to facilitate a thorough investigation of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office handling of a 2019 prosecution. (Pixabay)
“When you have allegations of elected officials pressuring our State attorney general’s office to influence the outcome of a prosecution, the State must demand answers. We cannot ignore the alleged corruption and influence peddling that occurred within our State offices,” said Testa (R-1). “The Legislature must return to Trenton immediately and give the Senate Judiciary Committee the power and resources to demand answers from the attorney general’s office regarding this serious and egregious matter.”
Bucco: Democrats Extreme, Far-Left Policies Are Steering New Jersey Off Course
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats are steering New Jersey off course in response to a new poll that shows New Jerseyans are feeling worse about their quality of life.
Sen. Anthony Bucco said Gov. Murphy and Trenton Democrats are steering New Jersey off course in response to a new poll that shows New Jerseyans are feeling worse about their quality of life. (Flickr)
“The extreme far-left policies of the Murphy administration and Trenton Democrats are clearly having a negative impact on quality-of-life issues for New Jerseyans. Car thefts, smash and grabs, and burglaries are a direct result of this administration’s soft-on-crime approach,” said Bucco (R-25). “From school funding cuts to costly utility rates to radical energy mandates for electric vehicles, the cost of living in New Jersey is being driven higher than ever before. Not to mention this administration’s vehement opposition to parental rights. It is abundantly clear that Democrats are not prioritizing the needs or safety of New Jersey residents with their approach.”
