HOBOKEN – Michael Schaffer, a former 2nd Ward councilman who was also a campaign aide to former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and fined $4,000 on Tuesday afternoon for conspiracy to commit extortion, according to published reports.
Schaffer admitted in court in June that he accepted three unlawful cash campaign contributions for Cammarano totaling $15,000 from a government witness, who purported to be a real estate developer. After Cammarano was mayor, Schaffer said he also accepted a $10,000 cash contribution from the cooperating witness. The arrests were part of a statewide sting operation into political corruption, “Operation Bid Rig.”
Reports: Schaffer sentenced to 18 months
