PRESS RELEASES

Governor Corzine's Statement on the Federal Corruption Probe
July 23, 2009


GOVERNOR CORZINE'S STATEMENT ON THE FEDERAL CORRUPTION PROBE

Good afternoon.

Like all New Jerseyans, I was sickened to learn that, this morning, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested some 40 public office holders and private citizens.

Any corruption is unacceptable: anywhere...

Anytime…

By anybody.

Whenever an elected or appointed official violates the public trust, he has crossed a bright red line.

New Jersey citizens have long been outraged by the deep legacy of political corruption in our state…and justifiably so.

But the scope of corruption that has been unmasked today is simply outrageous. There is no other word for it.  Outrageous.

I join with all the people of New Jersey in conveying my simple disgust.

People have a right to know that their elected and appointed officials are honest…

They have a right to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are being put to work for the common good…not for private gain or benefit.

Today’s arrests are of course only the beginning.

Those arrested will have their day in court and the government will have the burden of proof.

But I set a higher standard for service in my administrationn.

I will not tolerate even the hint of corruption. I never have, and I never will.

As long as I am governor, anyone who can no longer command the public’s trust…must step aside.

This morning, I asked for the resignation of Commissioner Joe Doria.

 

It is important to note that he has not been arrested or charged with any crime.

But Commissioner Doria will now have to concentrate fully on clearing his name.  He will not be able to fully concentrate on his responsibilities at the Department of Community Affairs.

I have also spoken with Speaker Joe Roberts. He and I concur that any member of the State Assembly who has been arrested in this probehould immediately resign from office.

In the more immediate term, the Speaker will strip these individuals of their leadership positions and committee assignments.

I also call on any municipal or county official who has been arrested today to do the right thing by his constituents, and resign from office.

Finally, I want to assure the public that I will take all steps necessary to ensure that any officeholder or state employee who is convicted of a crime will be stripped of his pension and benefits.

Now: It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific details of these cases.  In fact, I don’t have any more details than you do…We need to respect the legal process and let the prosecutors, legal counsel, and judges do their jobs.

Fighting corruption is a job for every honest public official, and my administration has done more to take on public corruption than any.

In my time in office, my Attorneys General have prosecuted 252 cases against 326 defendants, resulting in 199 convictions.

I got into public life because I truly believe – I still believe – that government can play a positive role in people’s lives. But our institutions are only as strong as the people who manage them.

Simply put, there is no place in government for anyone who violates the public trust.