Beck Urges Codey to Exercise Leadership and Ask Senators Under Investigation Not to Vote

Says the Integrity of the Senate is at Stake

State Senator-elect Jennifer Beck today sent a letter to Senate President Richard Codey urging him to show true leadership and ask those members of the Senate that are under investigation or indictment to forgo voting in the up-coming session of the Senate.

“It’s wholly at odds with the nature of a legislator responsible for approving laws for the State, to do so when he stands accused of violating the public trust,” said Beck.  “Service in the Senate should be reserved for lawmakers not law-breakers.”

Beck’s call for action comes in the wake of a torrid season of high-profile investigations, indictments, and convictions.  First, State Senator Wayne Bryant was indicted for accepting numerous no-show jobs in state government that, in effect, defrauded the people of the State and the state pension fund.  Then, State Senator Sharpe James was indicted for billing personal expenses to the City of Newark despite the on-going economic plight facing the residents of his city.  And, most recently, State Senator Joseph Coniglio, who had received a letter from the U. S. Attorney indicating he is the target of an investigation, had his home and office raided for evidence by the authorities. 

“For these men to sit in the Senate chamber and cast votes for laws that the people of the State will be expected to abide by is hypocritical,” maintained Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer.  “And for the people of New Jersey, whom polls show already have little trust in their representatives, such a scenario would be utterly demoralizing."

Beck has already called on Codey to consider suspending these members.  If he does, law-abiding replacements could be nominated who would better be able to represent the people that Senators Bryant, James, and Coniglio have failed.

“Codey should do the right thing.  The integrity of the Senate is at stake and these senators should not show up to vote on Monday.”

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December 6, 2007

Dear Senate President Codey:

As you may know, over the last few years, the citizens of New Jersey have been subject to countless stories of corruption by elected officials.  In fact, a recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University revealed that only 14 percent of voters trust state lawmakers.

And, it’s little wonder.  In addition to over 100 local officials that have been arrested on federal corruption charges, two Assemblymen were recently indicted for accepting bribes.  They did the right thing and resigned their seats in the Legislature. 

In the Senate, State Senators Wayne Bryant and Sharpe James have also been indicted for gross misdeeds.  They, however, continue to collect their salaries and store-up pension credits.  The same is true for State Senator Joseph Coniglio, whose home and office were recently raided in conjunction with an on-going federal investigation in which he has been notified that he is the target of the probe.  Even so, James and Coniglio were so brazen as to attend a recent meeting of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee where they voted on pending legislation.

It is wholly at odds with the nature of a legislator responsible for approving laws for the State, to do so when he stands accused of violating the public trust.  As I’m sure you’ll agree, service in the Senate should be for lawmakers, not law-breakers.  As such, I respectfully repeat my request that you allow the Senate to consider suspending these members, so that law-abiding replacements can be nominated to fill-out their terms. 

For these men to continue to sit in the Legislature and cast votes for laws that the people of the State will be expected to abide by is hypocritical.  And for the people of New Jersey, whom polls show already have little trust in their representatives, such a scenario would be utterly demoralizing. 

Sincerely,

Hon. Jennifer Beck

State Senator-elect – 12th Legislative District