HAMILTON POLS - I See Nothing!!!!

It is well documented that the FBI initiated an investigation into former Mayor Bencivengo, former Director of Engineering and Planning, Rob Warney and the bribes paid out by the government’s star witness and disgraced insurance broker, Marliese Ljuba.  That investigation led to the conviction and incarceration of Bencivengo and Warney, the firing of former Mercer County Republican Chairwoman and Hamilton Director of Recreation, Cathy Tramontana.

Literally, as our newly appointed Mayor was being sworn into office on November 30, 2012, cell phones were beeping with the news that another former Mercer County Republican Chairman, Hamilton Partnership member, Birdsall engineering executive, and nephew to Hamilton’s current Director Michael Angarone; Phil Angarone Jr. had pled guilty for a scheme to funnel illegal campaign donations  to elected officials.

With 3 prominent Hamilton Republicans marching off to jail; 2 former Mercer County Republican Chairs fired or jailed; one would assume that our remaining elected officials would be toeing the line and would be making every effort to appear squeaky clean and avoid any appearance of impropriety.  Well you know what they say happens when you assume?

We have now learned that Yaede, Kenny, Pone and Gore all were beneficiaries of Mr. Angarone and Birdsall engineering’s largesse.  Yaede’s 2011 campaign received $600 of illegal contributions. Pone’s personal campaign fund received $300 and the joint fund for Kenny and Pone received $2200 in illegal donations in 2009. Mr. Gore was not quite as popular, as he only received $250 in illegal Birdsall campaign contributions. The Hamilton Republican Committee was the big winner, receiving $16,750 in illegal donations.

Now put yourself in our stars’ shoes.  With 2 of your former colleagues currently occupying federal prison cells and the former county GOP chairman, veteran Hamilton Republican power broker, Phil Angarone Jr. awaiting his own state reservation; would it be time to fess up; admit to receiving the dirty money; maybe even return it or donate it to some charitable cause? Or would you just remain silent, do nothing and pray that the November 5^th election would hurry up and get here? 

 

What did the Sgt Schultz say?  “I see nothing”!  At least Hogan’s Heroes was a comedy.  This, I am afraid, is a tragedy for Hamilton and all of its residents that have watched the reputation of their hometown be severely besmirched. 

Verify the illegal donations to your Hamilton politicians by clicking on the Star Ledger Chart link to the left, under the heading Birdsall Illegal Contributions.  We will give you more of the story tomorrow.  Stay tuned!!