Hector Claveria, a Hoboken Housing Authority board member arrested on a bribery charge last month, has sent his letter of resignation to the board, according to his lawyer, Frank Cutruzzula.
Cutruzzula said Claveria shouldn’t be held in any higher regard than the other politicians facing corruption charges throughout the state, and as such he will resign his seat on the nine-member volunteer housing board.
He said that nonetheless, Claveria maitains his innocence and will devote his time to fighting any charges brought against him by a grand jury.
Claveria, 36, was appointed to the board in November under a recommendation by Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer and others. Claveria replaced longtime commissioner Angel Alicea.
After his appointment, Claveria became an ally to Mayor Peter Cammarano; he and his wife were integral parts of the campaign and Claveria was also part of the transition team.
Claveria was arrested on Tuesday, July 14 and charged with bribery, official misconduct, and receiving an unlawful benefit, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said.
The next day Cammarano called for his resignation, citing his administration’s “zero tolerance” policy for “violation of the public trust.” Cammarano called on the City Council to start remaoval proceedings if Claveria did not comply, but Cammarano found his own trouble just a week later.
Claveria was allegedly involved in taking money to move a tenant up the waiting list at the Housing Authority and DeFazio said it is alleged that Claveria received a “substantial amount of money” – more than $200, making make it a second degree crime – in exchange for his helping the tenant. — TJC