Strange charges against Hoboken millionaire dropped
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office dropped kidnapping and harassment charges against Hoboken businessman Jerry Carter last week.
The charges, initially filed by Hoboken police, included odd allegations that he harassed an employee and forced her to do strange things. In a bizarre twist, the assistant previously had written many good things about her boss and her job in essays on the internet.
Hoboken police immediately handed case over to the county, which had jurisdiction due to the types of charges. Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said last week that a legal review led to an administrative dismissal of the case. The charges were never put before a grand jury seeking an indictment, DeFazio said. Since the Hoboken police handed the case over, new information has been provided by Carter and his attorney Joseph Hayden that has changed the case, DeFazio said.
He also said having an out-of-state “witness/victim” was a factor in the results.
Last week, Hoboken Police Lt. Mark Competello said it was on the advice of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office that Carter was arrested in the first place. At that time, he said, probable cause was established and the prosecutor’s office recommended arresting Carter rather than taking the charges to a grand jury for a pre-arrest indictment.
Carter’s lawyer, Joe Hayden, commented Wednesday, “We are grateful that after a thorough and professional investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Jerry Carter has been completely cleared of the criminal charges filed against him. Mr. Carter and his family very much appreciate all the support that they have received from friends and members of the business community during this ordeal.”
When asked if any of the strange harassment charges may have had a basis outside criminal law, he said, “It’s clear that the prosecutor’s office indicated there was no basis for a criminal investigation.”
State aid cuts hit Hoboken
The Hoboken School District stands to lose nearly $3 million in state school aid due to Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed cuts, according to reports. Christie announced the cuts as part of an address he gave to the state legislature regarding the 2010-2011 $28.3 billion state budget on Tuesday.
The city also stands to lose 23 percent of its state aid for its budget, with a proposed reduction of $3.4 million to $11.11 million in aid next year. That means Hoboken and other cities must find ways to either cut services or spending, or increase taxes or other revenues.
During his address, Christie also touted Proposition 2.5 – a constitutional amendment that would go to the voters in November to cap the growth of property taxes at no more than 2.5 percent per year starting next year.
“No longer will we reward cities and towns who irresponsibly spend,” Christie said.
Other cost-saving measures Christie proposed including reform of the state’s pension plan and new rules for arbitration and employee benefits for school districts.
Christie said he plans to stop excess taxation or “tax madness” in New Jersey and called for the end of tax rebates, which he called “gimmicks,” in 2011.
He boasted about having made $13 billion in cuts already during only the first eight weeks since he’s been in office.
Weapons arrest
Hoboken Police said Friday that they arrested a gang member allegedly carrying a stolen and loaded .40-caliber automatic handgun in Hoboken on Thursday night.
Hoboken detectives, acting on a confidential tip of a potential gang-related shootout in the projects teamed up with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Officers in cars observed the possible gang members driving and followed them up the 14th Street Viaduct and along the border of Union City and Jersey City, they said.
One of the two cars they were following tried to block their way, but police activated their sirens and pursued the other vehicle, they said.
When they pulled over the Black Ford Explorer, one man immediately exited the vehicle and, according to police, allegedly threw a black handgun on the ground.
Union City police now responded to the foot chase, and after police lost sight of the suspect, they called in the Bergen County Police K-9 Unit.
Using articles of clothing the man had dropped in flight, they tracked him down to an apartment on Central Avenue in Union City.
Police could not identify the man they found hiding in the apartment as the same man who threw the handgun, but they said the man did have a warrant out for his arrest in Union City.
There were three other men in the Explorer, all of whom now face weapons charges.
Police recovered the gun, a black Glock 23 loaded with 11 bullets, which was stolen, and also found an axe handle and a metal hatchet in the Explorer.
The driver, Nicholas Alongi, 21, Bayonne, and passengers Samuel Perez, 22, Jersey City, and Troy McMillan, 23, of Bayonne, were charged with five weapons offenses and receiving stolen property. Alongi and Perez also had warrants.
YMCA closed for renovations
The Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA announced Friday closed its health and family programming at its facility at 1301 Washington St. in preparation for a long-planned expansion and renovation project, expected to begin in a few months. The YMCA’s low-income residence will remain open.
More than two years ago, the Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA announced major plans to rehabilitate and expand its historic building at 13th and Washington Streets. The goal is to renovate the facilities so that the Y can accommodate more low-income housing residents, as well as expand its health and family programs. However, due to the economic downturn, the financing for the project has been delayed.
In preparation for the project, the Y had cleared one of its two residential floors and froze its membership fees at 2007 rates. The YMCA board of directors had hoped to keep operations going during the construction project, and turned to the community for support through fundraisers and donations. Community response has been strong, which has helped keep the programs going during the protracted planning period, but in the current economic climate, these other sources of funding haven’t kept up with the expenses.
Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA Director Julie Gallanty said, “This is a very painful decision for us, and we know it will not be easy on our staff or members, but we’re committed to doing everything we can to find interim jobs for our staff and access to nearby YMCAs for our members.”
Somerville said the board will continue to seek additional sources of financial support, including grants and donations. Fundraisers planned for this spring and the Taste of Hoboken, scheduled for Nov. 9, are still a go.
‘Aida’ at Hoboken High School
Beginning March 26, Hoboken High School’s Theatre Program will present ‘Aida,’ the Elton John/Tim Rice musical.
Performances are held at the Hoboken High School Auditorium, Clinton Street between Eighth and Ninth streets, on Friday, March 26 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 27 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices are $10 for general admission; $7 for college students; and $5 for students and $2 senior citizens.
Owners of ‘abandoned’ dog found
After a black Labrador dog was left tied up for hours on Garden Street on Thursday, neighbors determined it was accidentally left there by a resident. Police were able to contact the resident to pick up the shaking pooch, witnesses said.
To read more about the story, see “Up to the Minute” at www.hudsonreporter.com.