The State Department of Criminal Justice has issued subpoenas to several former aides of Bayonne-based Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone in what appears to be an outgrowth of claims made in 2005 by a former aide, Michael Albanese.
Assemblyman Chiappone confirmed that former members from his staff during his 2004-2005 Assembly term have been interviewed by state investigators.
“I believe this stems out of the 2005 investigation,” he said.
In October, 2004 Albanese claimed he had not received a check due to him in his role as an official aide to the state Assemblyman. Checks are sent from the state to the state Assemblyman for distribution.
Albanese filed a report with the Bayonne Police in April 2005. The police investigation alleged that the check had been deposited in an account owned by the Chiappone family, according to the police.
Chiappone was never charged with the crime at the time said the matter was simply a mix-up. But according to sources who are involved with the investigation, the state investigators are looking into other checks reported missing.
Chiappone said the investigation is likely the result of a local television program that started questioning the details behind the checks.
“Nobody likes being investigated,” he said. “I have contacted the detectives to learn what is going on.”
At least two former aides have already been interviewed and subpoenaed to appear at a hearing in Trenton at 10 a.m. on April 29. Three more former aides are expected to receive similar subpoenas over the next 24 hours.