Brazil PD: Gatti committed suicide
According to the Associated Press, police in Brazil are no longer saying that boxer Arturo Gatti – who has lived in Hoboken and Jersey City in the past – was killed by his wife, a Union City native.
They have ruled the death a suicide. They also have ordered his wife released from prison.
The AP says: “Lead investigator Paulo Alberes tells The Associated Press that authorities found that Gatti killed himself on July 11 in a seaside resort in northeastern Brazil.
“Earlier, police said that Gatti’s 23-year-old wife, Amanda Rodrigues, had strangled him with her purse strap as he drunkenly slept.”
Meanwhile, a memorial service for Gatti took place Thursday in Jersey City with actor Mickey Rourke in attendance.
‘Cake Boss’ renewed
Cable channel TLC announced Wednesday that it had signed on for a second season of the reality show “Cake Boss,” which follows the inner workings of Carlo’s Bakery on Washington Street in Hoboken, run by Buddy Valastro. Variety reported that the show has become the “top rated food show on cable,” thanks in part to its lead in from the recently controversial “John & Kate Plus 8.” But it has taken on a large following of its own.
The last episode of this season will air Aug. 17, so there’s plenty more time to tune into TLC and look for the familiar Hoboken scenes, including Court Street and Pier A Park. The second season will start in the fall, with 18 episodes.
Watch for a Reporter story on the show some time next week. – CM
Arrested political consultant found dead; autopsy pending
Jack Shaw, the Jersey City political consultant who was one of the 44 arrested on July 23 by federal authorities, was found dead Tuesday at his apartment on Warren Street in downtown Jersey City. Sources are investigating whether the death was a suicide.
Shaw, 61, was found, according to police, by a relative around 5 p.m. in his ninth-floor apartment in the Portside Towers, a rental building. Police were on the scene and by 7:30 p.m., the Regional Medical Examiner team appeared. His death is under investigation but there were rumors that pills were found near his body. However, he has had medical problems recently.
Shaw was charged with with allegedly taking $10,000 from the government’s cooperating witness, Solomon Dwek, for himself and allegedly proposed that Dwek witness pay $10,000 in campaign contributions for the re-election campaign of Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. (Healy has not been charged with any wrongdoing.)
Child advocate volunteers needed
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children.
CASA works through community volunteers to insure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move then toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact fingers for judges and safeguard the interests of children while they are in the foster care system.
An information session regarding the program will be held on Aug. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City. Enter through the rear door since the front doors of the administration building are closed after 5 p.m.
Hudson County has over 750 children in foster care.
For more information call (201) 795-9855 or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.