Judge in James case is political veteran
By Wally EdgeThe United States of America v. Sharpe James has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge William Martini, who is no stranger to politics. Before his appointment to the federal bench, Martini served as a Clifton Councilman, Passaic County Freeholder, and from 1995 to 1997, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Martini defeated Democrat Herbert Klein to win the eighth district congressional seat in the 1994 GOP landslide, but narrowly lost his bid for re-election in 1996 to Democrat Bill Pascrell, Jr. Assignments of federal court trials are done randomly.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a watchdog group that promotes ethics and accountability, has filed a complaint with the ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
When I was eleven, way back in 1965, my family was invited for Thanksgiving to my cousins’ cousins, a Jewish-Italian family who lived in the ... >
Juan Melli
After the entire Star-Ledger editorial board opted to accept the paper's buyout offer, John Farmer, a 26-year veteran of the paper, was tasked ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
A rained out MusicFest this past September has provided Union County with $275,000 in insurance monies. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders ... >
Murray Sabrin
Today the Asinine Watch begins. With so many illiterate statements made about the economy by elected officials in recent days and weeks, it was ... >
Poll
PolitickerNJ Partners
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Lonegan enters race for Republican gubernatorial nomination
- David Crabiel, longtime Middlesex Freeholder, dead at 78
- Christie says give him four to six weeks
- Lonegan to kick off his second gubernatorial campaign today
- Team Lonegan
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
- Ariyan mum on BCDO chairmanship prospects
- Marra will be Acting U.S. Attorney
- Some county chairs keep their gubernatorial options open -- for now
- Breaking a glass ceiling: will New Jersey get a Latino Secretary of Agriculture?
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Amid economic downturn, mayoral backlash, Lesniak anticipates COAH finetuning
Quote of the Day
"Because he had to dress for his speech immediately, he had to purchase an entirely new set of clothes. The campaign credit card used to pay for the clothing was reimbursed in total by the airline, which wrote a check for $952.04 to the congressman on July 20, 2007. The congressman then endorsed the check over to the campaign account on July 20, 2007. Thus, the campaign incurred no expense for the clothing." -- Francis Tagmire, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, on why Andrews used campaign funds to pay for clothing. A Washington, D.C. watchdog group has filed a complaint against him.
Recent Press Releases
- Dec 3 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
James R. Lambert: Convicted Felon, Head of Authority― ONLY IN NEW JERSEY...AND PENNSYLVANIA
Why can't we find a role for Christie in Washington? ― MIKE KELLY
Christie Gives Notice, and G.O.P. Gains Hope ― DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Syndicate
Too bad he wasn't reelected but...
Hopefully he delivers some Jersey Justice for Sharpe!
Martini background
Money, Money, Money. He had a substantial personal piggy bank for his runs for Freeholder and Congress from his uncle Nick. Martini and James can share tips on how to chose the right sail for your yacht.
Oh please....
Whats wrong with having a little money as long as you arent dishonest?
Nothing
But lets be intellectually honest, Martini didn't get the Port Authority or federal bench appointments because he was highly qualified. Its because he not only gave money but also bundled money for Whitman and then for her good buddy Bush. So Martini is probably the most qualified judge to hear a case about misspent money.
Wouldn't It Be Cool If.....
In exchange for a few years off his sentence (assuming that the charges hold up) , James offered Christie a deal in which he would spill his guts about every single dirty detail that he can attest to re the corruption that permeates Essex and the State legislature!
I wonder if Christie would dare take him up on such an offer!?! ;-)
From Frederick Douglass