July 23 was a significant day in Hudson County as many local politicians were amongst the 44 individuals swept up in a corruption/money laundering sting.
But what if the significant day was the day before?
At least three sources connected to those arrested say longtime politicial consultant Jack Shaw was allegedly “picked up” by FBI agents on July 22 instead.
Shaw died on July 28 in his apartment in downtown Jersey City but the cause of his death is yet to be determined pending an autopsy. Some believe he committed suicide.
Shaw was charged with allegedly taking $10,000 from the government’s cooperating witness, Solomon Dwek, for himself. He also allegedly proposed that Dwek 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.)
While the media saw Shaw walk out of federal court in Newark on the afternoon of July 23, the sources say that Shaw had allegedly been in the custody of federal agents for nearly a day before, who allegedly tried to convince him to become a “cooperating witness” like Dwek to continue the investigation and ensnare other political officials
But Shaw allegedly was not cooperative, apparently angered by federal agents who were insensitive to his medical condition, as Shaw was a diabetic.
The sources say that Shaw allegedly complained about the agents to other arrested people as they all waited to face a judge on July 23.
When asked about the allegations about Shaw being picked up a day earlier, as well as other questions, Michael Drewniak, spokeperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark would only comment, “Sorry, I cannot answer those questions for you. I am confined to the public record.”
While the early arrest of Shaw may be just spectulation, it is worthy to note that multiple sources familiar with the arrests and with City Hall politics also cite July 22 as the day that federal agents allegedly paid a visit to Mayor Healy at City Hall, although very little information has come out about that supposed meeting. — RK
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