Letter: ASSATA SHAKUR AND THE IRA

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:


When the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) prisoners in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh went on Hunger Strike in 1981, the New Jersey State Assembly followed up by honoring the IRA Hunger Striker Bobby Sands MP, after his death, with a resolution highlighting his courage and commitment.

New Jersey's Irish-American community and supporters stand in solidarity with Assata Shakur and the Black Liberation Army's objectives to achieve civil rights and freedom for African-Americans. Like the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which was found to have targeted Catholics for unfair treatment, the NJ State Police admitted to racial profiling and discrimination during a settlement with the Department of Justice in the late 1990s.

Assata Shakur was granted asylum in Cuba in the 1980s after escaping from a NJ prison where she was held after being convicted of murdering a state trooper, in a racist highly questionable case that lacked evidence such as gunpowder residue, among other inconsistencies with the government's tall tale. Assata had previously framed in numerous other cases she was later acquitted of, as part of FBI's COINTELPRO program.

The New Jersey State Police recently put out Assata's name on another NJ Most Wanted Hitlist.

The Irish community just celebrated the centennial of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland, where James Connolly advocated independence, equality, and social democracy.

But in 2016, we must rise in solidarity with Assata here in New Jersey and force the State of New Jersey to keep their "Hands off Assata".

"Tiocfaidh ár lá" and "All Power to the People" define a common global struggle.

Governor Christie needs to shut his mouth and stop harassing Assata Shakur.



Eric Hafner
Toms River, NJ

Lagerkvist: Christie's security expenses hit $1.7M, details remain secret

Christie’s security travel costs hit $1.77 million; how most was spent remains a mystery

The travel costs of the governor’s security detail soared last year with Chris Christie’s presidential ambitions, but details of how the taxpayers’ money was spent remain a state secret.

Of the nearly $614,000 spent on travel in 2015 by the State Police Executive Protection Unit, $545,000 was charged to American Express cards issued to the governor’s office. Citing concerns for Christie’s safety, the state has refused to release the Amex statements that list food, lodging, transportation and incidental expenses for out-of-state trips.

Overall, EPU expenses totaled nearly $1.77 million for Christie’s first six years as New Jersey governor. More than 85 percent – or $1.52 million – was charged to state Amex accounts, effectively exempt from outside scrutiny.

A NJ Spotlight analysis of internal administration documents, obtained through Open Public Records Act requests, illustrate how the EPU travel costs increased year-by-year as Christie pursued his political fortunes outside of New Jersey:

2010 – $64,975: Security travel expenses during Christie’s first year as governor were roughly one-tenth of the 2015 total.

2011 – $129,842: EPU expenses double as Christie starts to get national attention.

2012 – $248,277: Costs double again as Christie’s political star continues to rise, culminating in his keynote speech at the Republican National Convention and campaign appearances for Mitt Romney.

2013 – $220,355: Christie’s out-of-state trips decrease slightly as he campaigns in New Jersey for re-election as governor.

2014 – $492,420: As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Christie journeys extensively to help raise $106 million in political contributions. While RGA pays for Christie’s expenses, taxpayers are stuck with the EPU bills.

2015 – $613,693: More than $340,000 in EPU travel costs are racked up after June 30, the date Christie officially declared his candidacy for president. During 2015, Christie traveled outside the state for all or part of 261 days.

The complete story and supporting documents are online at NJ Spotlight – http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/03/13/christie-s-security-travel-costs-hit-1-77m-how-most-was-spent-remains-mystery/

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Mark Lagerkvist is a veteran investigative reporter who has worked for CNBC, News 12, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Watchdog and other newspaper, television and online news outlets. His work has won more than 60 journalism awards, including honors from National Press Club, Scripps Howard Foundation, and Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). He can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

Letter: Why Send State Police To Baltimore To Be Target?

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:



Dear Editor,

I am very much opposed to Governor Chris Christie’s decision to send the New Jersey State Police to Baltimore, to support a police force that has been accused of murdering Freddie Gray, a 25 year old African-American man.

The New Jersey State Police has had a long history of racism and abuse of minorities. The New Jersey State Police admitted to racially profiling and shooting at unarmed African-Americans and Hispanic drivers. These abuses resulted in a consent order with the Department of Justice.

Because of this history, it is entirely inappropriate for the agency to be involved in such racial tensions.

Thanks to Christie, the State of New Jersey has now become a target of any person or group who has been made to feel that the political and legal system has failed their communities and might take up a mantra of “by any means necessary”.

Bring our troopers home and let Baltimore deal with the mess they caused.



Eric Hafner
Toms River

NJ WATCHDOG: Christie bodyguard escapes theft prosecution

For immediate release:


A New Jersey State Police bodyguard to Gov. Chris Christie is getting off with a slap on the wrist – and no criminal record – in a Pennsylvania shoplifting case.

William Carvounis made national headlines two months ago when New Jersey Watchdog broke the story of his shoplifting spree at Cabela’s in Hamburg, PA.

The 36-year-old state trooper was caught stealing $267 in gun supplies and other merchandise by store surveillance video. Since his arrest, Carvounis has been suspended from his duty on the security team attached to Christie.

Carvounis escaped prosecution when a Berks County judge allowed him to enter a special pre-trial intervention program known as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition.

Instead of facing a conviction and up to five years in prison, Carvounis will pay a $150 fine plus restitution and costs, according to court records. He cannot set foot in any Cabela’s store and must pay $100 to attend a “STOPLIFT” rehabilitation class.

The charges against Carvounis are to be expunged from the record upon his completion of the ARD program.

The story is now online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org. The direct link is http://newjersey.watchdog.org/2014/04/07/christie-bodyguard-theft/.

Pallone Announces $9.4 Million Reimbursed to New Jersey State Police for Emergency Work Due to Sandy

Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse New Jersey State Police (NJSP) $9,455,815 for additional work required of the force as a result of Superstorm Sandy. This work included but was not limited to public safety patrols, assisting stranded motorists, blocking hazardous roads, transporting residents to shelters, conducting search and rescue operations, and performing safety checks on residents.

“When Sandy hit our coast and New Jerseyans faced unbelievable destruction and unsafe conditions, New Jersey State Police rose to the occasion and worked around the clock to help residents in need,” said Pallone. “I commend NJSP for their continued commitment to public safety, and I join all New Jeseyans in thanking them for the service they provided our communities during the unsettling days immediately after Sandy.”

NJSP will be reimbursed for 75% of the more than 83,600 hours of labor worked statewide, of which more than 20% was overtime. This funding will also be directed to the costs associated with the 124,028 overtime hours NJSP’s Barrier Island Detail worked from November 16, 2012 to May 17, 2013.

This funding is awarded to NJSP in addition to $2,139,803 previously announced FEMA funding

NJ WATCHDOG: 80 NJ State Police retirees return to NJ double-dip

EIGHTY STATE POLICE RETIREES BACK ON NJ PAYROLL; DOUBLE-DIPPERS GET $12.8M A YEAR IN PENSIONS & SALARIES

New Jersey State Lottery deputy director Duane Daniels hit a jackpot when he retired as a State Police captain at age 50.

Daniels started collecting an $88,296 annual pension in October 2009. That same month, he was hired as the lottery's head of security at a $90,000 salary. For Daniels, his annual payout increased to $178,296.

In this game, taxpayers don't stand a chance. The rules are rigged in favor of Daniels and scores of other retirees. While mid-career retirements drain millions from state pension funds that face a $41.7 billion shortfall, double-dipping adds insult to voters who were promised reform.

A New Jersey Watchdog investigation found 80 State Police retirees are back on the state payroll as full-time employees. Collectively, they receive $12.8 million a year – nearly $7 million in salaries plus $5.8 million from pensions. Of the 80 "retired" troopers:

· Twenty-two are re-employed by the State Police; 19 as investigators. They draw both State Police pensions and paychecks.
· Twenty-seven work as investigators elsewhere within the Department of Law & Public Safety, the agency in charge of the State Police. Twenty are assigned to the Division of Criminal Justice, five are under the Division of Law, and the Division of Consumer Affairs and Office of Attorney General each employ one.
· Thirty-one State Police retirees work at other state agencies, including the State Comptroller, Treasury, Education, Insurance & Banking, Secretary of State, Motor Vehicle Commission, State Parole Board, Human Services, Health and Senior Services, Information Technology and Office of Homeland Security.

For the complete story and full list, go to http://newjersey.watchdog.org.

NJ WATCHDOG INVESTIGATION: Attorney General's 23 Double-Dippers Pocket Millions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

One-Day 'Retirements?' There Ought to Be a Law!

NJ ATTORNEY GENERAL'S 23 DOUBLE-DIPPERS POCKET MILLIONS; MOST RETIRE FOR ONE DAY, THEN COLLECT PENSIONS FOR LIFE

Edgar J. Hess "retired" from the New Jersey State Police at age 50, but he never left the Attorney General's payroll. The next day, he began work at a state unit that investigates corruption.

Without really retiring, Hess has collected $712,000 in state pension checks since 2002. He currently gets $196,000 a year – an $80,000 pension plus a $116,000 salary as a lieutenant state investigator.

Hess is one of 23 double-dipping investigators and supervisors who work for Attorney General Paula T. Dow and her Division of Criminal Justice, a New Jersey Watchdog investigation revealed. In addition to their salaries, they draw pensions as retired employees of the Attorney General. Most retired for only one day.

Collectively, the 23 "retirees" receive $3.77 million a year – $1.56 million a year in pension pay plus $2.21 million in state salaries. On average, they each pocket $164,000 a year – $96,000 in salary and nearly $68,000 from pension. 

The retirement schemes are typically inside jobs – deals that quietly slip through loopholes in pension law. Like Hess, many retirees are rehired so quickly they never miss a payday from the Attorney General, who is in charge of both DCJ and State Police.  In the 23 double-dipping cases examined by New Jersey Watchdog:

• 14 officers were rehired the day after they retired.
• Two others were rehired within a week of retirement.
• Only seven officers left the payroll for at least 30 days, as required by state pension rules.

Click here or visit www.njwatchdog.org for the full story.  Investigative reporter Mark Lagerkvist can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.