WEST NEW YORK – West New York Mayor Felix Roque and his son Joseph pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning in Newark federal court.
The two were charged with three counts of computer hacking, related to a political opponent’s “Recall Roque” web site.
The Roques’ attorney, Bryan Blaney, suggested in court that the case may be politically motivated.
Blaney said in an interview after the arraignment that the judge had initially set a date for him to file any motions on behalf of the Roques by Sept. 5. A motion may challenge any of the counts or the entire indictment, or suggest a reason to suppress certain evidence to be presented, for instance.
In court, Blaney argued that they had not yet received certain information they had requested from the government about the case, and that they would not be able to sufficiently review that information once received by Sept. 5. He added that the judge granted a continuance and it should be about a month before Blaney files the appropriate motions on the Roques’ behalf.
After this occurs, a trial date will be set.
Blaney also said the judge had set a recognizance bail, which means the Roques were released without having to post monetary bail with the promise they would show up for the next court date. If they do not show up, they will then have to pay.
Roque was formally indicted on Aug. 9 after his and his son’s May 24 arrest.
Roque has stated in the past that he has no intention to resign as mayor as a result of the indictment.
“He is certainly not guilty and I’m looking forward to getting to a point when we can demonstrate that,” Blaney said Wednesday afternoon. — Gennarose Pope