Peter J. Sampson, "Broker Gets 5 Years For Fraud, Tax Evasion: Illegally Contributed to Menendez Coffers," in The Record, December 12, 2012, at p. A-1.
"Declaring that 'greed and vanity' motivated his crimes, a federal judge Tuesday sentenced a Bergen County insurance broker to five years in prison for using straw donors [buffers?] to make nearly $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez while evading more than $2 million in personal income tax." (emphasis added!)
Senator Bob's spokesperson and buffer -- Mr. Scarinsky, probably -- will surely explain that Bob Menendez was "victimized" because Mr. Bigica gave him -- Menendez -- lots of money that Menendez felt compelled to accept and deposit.
Perhaps, the deposit was made by Menendez in a private account in the Cayman islands. If so, this was, no doubt, on the advice of Mr. Romney. ("Illegal Payments to Bob Menendez" and "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?")
"Bigica, a deep-pockets" -- "successful"? -- "Democrat contributor who won millions of dollars in NO-BID government contracts across North Jersey [quid pro cuo?] was ordered to wear an electronic bracelet until [surrendering on Monday.] ..."
I am surprised that Mr. Bigica, unlike Ken Zisa, was denied bail after sentencing.
I am sure that it will be said with a straight face that the millions of dollars in public money that went to Mr. Bigica had nothing to do with his political contributions to Bob Menendez -- and others.
I am also sure that there were no "kickbacks" by Bigica or contractors receiving those public funds, probably in cash and under the table, to Bob Menendez and Big Nicky Sacco, or the Zisa family, in order to ensure additional future public no-bid contracts being awarded to these fine "gentlemen" in New Jersey. ("Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics" then "Senator Bob Loves Xanadu!")
"In handing down the sentence, the [federal] judge said Bigica's crimes were fueled by a desire to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included Lamborghini and Ferrari cars, a lifeshare residence in the U.S. virgin [sic.] islands and an apartment for a girlfriend. His deceptions appeared to be ongoing, she said, noting he made $800,000 to $900,000 last year, yet claimed a net worth of $13,000."
Mr. Menendez stated through a spokesperson (which allows the senator, if necessary, to call the statement a "mischaracterization") that he will donate a portion of the Bigica donation to charity. ("More Problems For Menendez -- Tapes!")
How much will be donated to charity from the funds received? When will this donation take place, if it ever does, remains unclear. ("Menendez Gets Over On the Feds.")
Bigica used bogus independent contributors to avoid election laws in order to give Menendez "bribes," allegedly, of $98,600 between 2005 and 2009.
It is unlikely that these payments were made to Menendez because Mr. Bigica shares the senator's passion for immigration law reform. Clearly, for Bigica, this payment was a matter of business expense.
How much more -- if anything -- was paid in cash to Menendez for services rendered is not known at this time. ("Is Menendez For Sale?" and "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")
Mr. Menendez is an "ethical" member of the New Jersey Bar Association. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "Is Senator Bob For Human Rights?")
Sources:
New York & the World:
Joseph Goldstein, "New York Sees Errors on DNA In Rape Cases," in The New York Times, January 11, 2013, at p. A1. (How many innocent persons languish in American prisons? Do appellate courts care at all about this reality of false convictions?)
Declan Walsh, "Blasts in Pakistan Kill Scores and Stir Fears On Elections," in The New York Times, January 11, 2013, at p. A12. (Please see "A Commencement Address by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham-Clinton.")
Jennifer Dachal, "Don't Close Guantanamo," (Op-Ed) in The New York Times, January 11, 2013, at p. A33. ("We don't want those people here." So let's torture them in Cuba?)
Jessica Silver-Greenberg & Susanne Craig, "Madoff Aside, Financial Fraud Defies Policing," in The New York Times, January 7, 2013, at p. A1. (I wonder why it is so difficult to prosecute, mostly, white middle class offenders?)
Dan Forsch, "Suit Claims Officer Faked D.U.I. Cases: Fired Utah Trooper Accused of Arresting Dozens of Sober Drivers," in The New York Times, January 3, 2013, at p. A13. (Falsifying evidence, obstructing justice -- sounds like the OAE. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
Adam Liptak, "Secrecy of Memo on Drone Killing is Upheld," in The New York Times, Jaunary 3, 2013, at p. A17. (The absurd or "Alice in Wonderland" quality of allowing for secret legal opinions in this matter was admitted by the District Court judge who, nevertheless, felt bound to decide in accordance with an illogical and unconstitutional law. The purpose of legal opinions is public scrutiny and debate of the reasoning justifying a legal conclusion in order to determine whether an error requiring revisions in judgment has been made. I believe it was Justice Brandeis who said: "Secrecy is the enemy of freedom and democracy." Secret legal opinions are self-contradictory. The essence of due process of law is notice and an opportunity for the accused to respond in public legal proceedings before state action is taken.)
Colin Moynahan, "Cleared in One '95 Killing, 3 Seek Reversal in Another," in The New York Times, January 3, 2013, at p. A21. ("Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Freedom For Mumia Abu-Jamal.")
"When Justice Grinds Slow," (Editorial) in The New York Times, January 3, 2013, at p. A24. (Finally, Gov. Bev. Perdue of North Carolina granted a full pardon to the Wilmington 10. It is never too late to do justice. Only after justice is done can we all move on.)
Peter Baker, "On the Left, Seeing Obama Giving Away Too Much," in The New York Times, January 2, 2013, at p. A12. (I concur to the extent that, so far, the Obama second term is shaping up as a disappointment. Keep hoping for better. Let us have more women in positions of authority, Mr. President.)
Sharon Otterman, "Abuse Verdict Topples a Hasidic Wall of Secrecy," in The New York Times, December 11, 2013, at p. A1. (Lifting the veil on systematic abuse of children in the orthodox Jewish community. "Believe the children!")
New Jersey's Bizarre Incompetence.
"A Full Court's Nominees Deserve a Fair Hearing," (Editorial) in The Record, December 11, 2012, at p. A-10. (Good luck.)
"Hannan Adeley & Michael Copley, "2 Officers Acquitted of Misconduct: Were Charged With Aiding Zisa Cover-Up," in The Record, December 11, 2012, at p. L-1. (A federal civil rights suit and criminal action may be brought against these former officers. "Zisa's Crew Gets Sprung!")
Kim Lueddekke, "Tribute to Teen One Year After Shooting: Family, Friends Still Seek Answers," in The Record, December 11, 2012, at p. L-2. (Was the young man wearing a hoody? I am still seeking answers to atrocities committed against me over decades.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Broker Gets Five Years for Donor Fraud: Illegally Contributed to Menendez Coffers," in The Record, December 12, 2012, at p. A-1. (Bigica made at least $100,000 in payments to Menendez, possibly doubling this amount in under-the-table cash payments to many politicians, allegedly. Were other Democrats "taken-care-of," Mr. Bigica?)
Abbott-Koloff, "Man Hit, Touched Girl,10, Cops Say: Arrest in Fairview Follows An Assault in a Sexual Manner," in The Record, December 12, 2012, at p. L-3. (A Fairview man, Jose Suarez-Soca, 48, alleged Menendez supporter, is charged with sexual assault of a minor.)
Herb Jackson, "Menendez Says Illegal Intern Deceived His Office: Revelation Could Affect Immigration Debate," in The Record, December 13, 2012, at p. A-1. (Menendez was "duped" by illegal intern exactly as he was "deceived" by Mr. Bigica. This "intern" was recommended, allegedly, by a big donor to Senator Menendez who may also have "deceived" Senator Menendez into accepting cash payments.)
Justo Bautista, "A Disbarred Attorney Arrested in Loan Scheme: Accused in Role in Mortgage Fraud," in The Record, January 8, 2013, at p. L-1. (Former alleged member of ethics committee of N.J. bar association has a problem. Ray Gonzales? Gilberto Garcia? Is Michael Rumore, 54, a former associate and colleague of Herbert Klitzner, Esq.? "Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy.")
Ryan Hutchins, "Codey is Urged to Run for Governor," in The Record, January 7, 2013, at p. A-3. (I would rather see Codey challenge Menendez for the Senate.)
"Numbers Don't Lie: Revenue Projections Don't Look Too Rosy," (Editorial) in The Record, January 7, 2013, at p. A-9. (What to do about years of theft and incompetence leading to insolvency? Projecting numbers that will not be there is hardly a solution.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Selection of Bergrin Jury Set to Begin: Lawyer Faces Murder, Racketeering Charges," in The Record, January 7, 2013, at p. L-1. (Stuart Rabner's former colleague at the U.S. Attorney's office, Paul Bergrin, is facing a second trial. "Is Paul M. Bergrin, Esq. an Ethical New Jersey Attorney?")
Kibret Marcos, "Parents Sue Drug Dealer in Son's Death," in The Record, January 8, 2013, at p. L-1. (Proximate cause, duty of care, foreseeability and other issues in Tort and criminal law will be tested. Thank goodness, legal genius, Stuart Rabner, will eventually review these issues.)
