HUDSON COUNTY — Four counts against former state Assemblyman Louis Manzo and his brother, Ron, were dismissed by U. S District Judge Jose Linares this week, saying that they did not apply because neither man held public office at the time of the alleged crime.
While both Manzos still face bribery and wire fraud charges in connection with a federal sting operation last summer, which could end them up in federal prison for 20 years, the charges claiming they extorted illegal campaign contributions from a federal informant were dropped, according to press accounts.
Manzo was one of the few officials arrested last July who has fought back against the FBI investigation of political corruption. He filed suit against the U.S. Attorney office six weeks ago claiming that the original charges including bribery and wire fraud were invalid because some federal investigators involved with the case had contributed money to the gubernatorial campaign for former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie.