Along with busting the bunnies (and a bunch of money laundering Rabbis but that's another story) the FBI also raided the home and office of Joseph Doria, Commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and removed boxes of documents. Doria hasn't been indicted. Yet. Joe Doria, a mighty machine man from Hudson County, was elevated to his state position by Governor Jon Corzine. As DCA Commissioner, Joe Doria had extensive power over development projects in Jersey. Note past tense. After the raid Corzine asked Doria to resign.
The July 23rd roundup is part of Operation Bid Rig, a statewide anti-corruption FBI initiative that began ten years ago under the auspices of former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie. To date, some 120 New Jersey public servants have been convicted via Bid Rig and other prosecutions. Disclosure: Christopher Christie is currently running for New Jersey governor. I can't say whether or not he'd make a good governor. I prefer my pols populist, libertarian, even contrarian. But I still thank the man for putting so much sludge in the can.
By the time Bid Rig began I was no longer living in Jersey City. I don't want to return, except in dreams or in writing. But then, I don't want to live in any city ever again. Jersey City isn't singular, just a wee bit extreme. It took more than one city, in one state, to make me throw in the towel on urban living. There's something rotten, policy wise, in the whole city-state of Denmark.
Part of my heart remains in Jersey City, particularly in the Heights area circa early 80s. But I just can't get over how our taxpayer-supported U.S. Housing Mission turned chronic corruption into a raging epidemic, and how like a war zone the Gold Coast's inner city has become.
*Jersey City Neighborhood Knows Violence, Drugs , Barbara Nevins Taylor, MYFOXNY.COM
**Cops Hope Video of Man Being Shot in Jersey City will Help Catch Thugs , Michaelangelo Conte, Jersey Journal, 07/09/09
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