The office of Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell was slapped with a subpoena on Monday, July 27 as part of the ongoing political corruption scandal that led to the arrests of 44 public officials last week, including Elwell.
Town Administrator David Drumeler confirmed that investigators have seized the mayor’s appointment calendar, message pads, and other records.
Elwell was among the 44 government officials who were targeted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark as part of the massive bribery and money laundering scandal that has rocked New
Jersey. He was charged with “conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.”
According to federal prosecutors, Elwell allegedly took a $10,000 cash bribe from a witness who was cooperating with investigators. In exchange for the payment, the mayor allegedly agreed to help the witness get a hotel built in Secaucus, prosecutors said.
Elwell was released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond, according to his lawyer.
Tom Cammarata, one of two attorneys representing Elwell, said on Monday that a press conference will likely be held on July 28 to release a statement on the case. Observers are speculating that Elwell may announce his resignation from office at that time.
Since the corruption scandal broke last week, several public officials have been under pressure to resign. Using former Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria as an example, Corzine said Friday, “What I want them to do is what Commissioner Doria did – and he wasn’t even arrested.”
Doria immediately resigned his position after state and federal investigators executed search warrants on his office and home. Should Elwell resign Tuesday it could put additional pressure on Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano to follow suit. Since being released on bond last Thursday, Cammarano has defiantly refused to resign from office – despite protests from constituents – and has continued to serve as mayor from his office at City Hall.
Secaucus’ Town Council voted Friday to make Deputy Mayor John Reilly the town’s acting mayor. – E. Assata Wright
Elwell’s calendar seized; press conf likely Tuesday
