Former Bergen County Democratic leader Ferriero pleads not guilty in racketeering scheme Monday September 30, 2013, 1:15 PM BY PETER J. SAMPSON STAFF WRITER The Record Print | E-mail Related: Read the indictment against Joseph Ferriero (PDF) Ferriero leaving federal court in Newark Monday. JENNIFER BROWN / SPECIAL TO THE RECORD Ferriero leaving federal court in Newark Monday. Joseph A. Ferriero on Monday formally denied charges that he engaged in a series of bribery, kickback and shakedown schemes during his decade-long tenure as chairman of Bergen County’s Democratic Party. Ferriero, 56, once among the state’s most powerful political leaders, made his initial appearance before U.S. District Judge Ester Salas in Newark and was arraigned on racketeering, conspiracy to promote bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and other charges. Dressed in a dark blue pinstripe suit with a silver striped tie, Ferriero spoke only once to acknowledge that he understood his rights. His attorney, Michael Baldassare, entered a “not guilty” plea on Ferriero’s behalf to the five counts returned by a federal grand jury more than two weeks ago. After the brief hearing, Ferriero declined to discuss the case, referring any questions to his lawyer. “Today is the first day in our fight to vindicate Mr. Ferriero for the second time,” said Baldassare, referring to his client’s earlier acquittal on five fraud counts and the setting aside of his conviction on the three remaining charges after the Supreme Court narrowed the scope of the law under which he was prosecuted. “We are confident that once again after the jury hears the facts and the law, he’ll leave this courthouse a free man with his name cleared,” Baldassare said. Asked how Ferriero is faring in the wake of his second indictment in five years, Baldassare said, “Joe’s doing very well. He is working diligently with us and is really looking forward to defending himself and yet again having his name cleared.” Ferriero, who was elected Bergen County Democratic chairman in 1998, is accused of extorting $1.7 million from the developer of the Meadowlands retail and entertainment complex formerly known as Xanadu. The payments, in monthly installments of $35,000, were made through a Teaneck law firm from 2002 to 2006 in exchange for Ferriero’s help in securing endorsements and official support, and to prevent him and others from opposing the project, the indictment alleges. The East Rutherford project, now under different ownership and known as American Dream, has yet to be completed. The indictment also alleges Ferriero schemed to profit from his secret ownership of a grants-writing business that was marketed to local governments in North Jersey. It also alleges Ferriero took kickbacks from a Nutley software developer who sought his help in obtaining public contracts in Bergen County municipalities. Ferriero was released on a $250,000 unsecured bond, with his travel restricted to the continental United States. The judge set a tentative trial date of Dec. 4, but that is expected to be extended into next year after the defense has an opportunity to review the government’s evidence in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig told the judge the trial could take six weeks. Email: sampson@northjersey Tags: Bergen | Crime & Courts - See more at: northjersey/news/Former_Bergen_County_Democratic_leader_Ferriero_pleads_not_guilty_to_bribery_charges.html?page=all#sthash.kwxFAD2f.dpuf
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 04:37:41 +0000
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