Governor Corzine Freezes State Development Approvals in Towns Run By Mayors Charged With Corruption
By: Henry T. Chou, Esq.
On August 3, 2009, Governor Corzine signed Executive Order #148, “freezing state approvals for development projects in any city or town where a mayor has been charged with public corruption but refuses to step down.” See http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/circular/eojsc148.htm.
The Executive Order is seen largely as an effort to force the resignation of Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez, who was arrested two weeks ago in the U.S. Attorney's statewide anti-corruption operation. Mr. Suarez, who is accused of taking a $10,000 bribe from a developer, has refused to resign as Mayor while he prepares his legal defense. While Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano and Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell resigned their positions after being charged with corruption, Mr. Suarez has publicly stated that he has no such intentions.
In the meantime, various state agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, are reviewing their records to determine whether there are any pending applications or requests for approvals in Ridgefield that should be frozen, pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order.