Political consultant Jack Shaw lends a touch of Banquo to the vids. As said, he died of a Valium overdose a few days after being busted. Accident? Only his shadow knows. His shadow hangs over the FBI's case in Hudson County. After his arrest, Shaw allegedly agreed to cooperate with the Feds. His input would have been invaluable. It was Shaw who introduced Esenbach/Dwek to many of the indicted or suspected pols, and it was Shaw who collected $40,000 from Dwek as an alleged bribe for the biggest fish in the batch-- Joseph V. Doria, state commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). As DCA head, Joe Doria chaired the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and the Council on Affordable Housing. Doria, a Hudson County machine man elevated to state power by former Governor Jon Corzine, admits meeting with Shaw and Dwek but denies taking bribes. Doria resigned as DCA head last summer, after his offices were raided by the FBI. He has not been indicted.
Jack Shaw cut his corruption teeth in Cook County, Illinois. He told Solomon Dwek that of all the places he knew, Hudson County was the most like Cook County. When the state's attorney in Cook investigated Shaw in the late 70s, he emigrated to Hudson County (he was invited in). In Hudson, Shaw was a jack-of-all-trades. Among other things, he served as campaign manager and advisor to ex-Hudson County Executive Robert Janiszewski. In 2002, Janiszewski pleaded guilty to extorting bribes from developers. Until his arrest became public knowledge, he wore a wire for the Feds. There went another batch...
Jack Shaw had his ups and downs. He riled a few cronies by allegedly embezzling from them to support a cocaine habit. The State Commission of Investigation said scathing things about how Shaw and a buddy ran the Hudson County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But in Hudson County, tomorrow is always another day. As the new millennium glided along, Shaw was guiding New York developer George Filopoulos of Metrovest Equities through the shoals of Jersey City's development process. The result? The Beacon, an elegant condo fortress in one of Jersey City's poorest neighborhoods. FHA mortgages available! By the buy, Jack Shaw's girlfriend was/is property manager for the Beacon. Money that Dwek gave Shaw flowed back to Mayor Jerry Healy's campaign through her checkbook.
Even after death, Jack Shaw is a go-to guy. Leona Beldini's attorney claims Jack was the real grafter. Cheatam? How 'bout that name? Solomon Dwek is a deceitful rat, Beldini an honest public servant. So pure she didn't need to take the stand in her own defense. She just sat next to her attorney, shining...
As this is being written, the jury is out on U.S. v. Leona Beldini. In the FBI tapes, Deputy Mayor Beldini kept her hands clear of Dwek's cash. Quid pro quo was at tongue's length. Perhaps the jury will say, "Not proven". But whether Beldini is convicted or not, the Feds deserve some sort of media award. Jersey City is a Reality TV classic. Its images are forever.
Carola Von Hoffmannstahl-Solomonoff
Mondo QT
*Ex-Hudson County Official Admits Conspiring with Numerous Others to Extort Cash in Return for Official Influence, USDOJ, U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey, 09/18/09
**Unless otherwise noted, all quotes are from the following transcripts of videos and audiotapes played during the U.S. v. Leona Beldini trial, and published in the Newark Star-Ledger:
- Dwek, Cheatam, Shaw body recording transcript 2, March 11, 2009
- Jersey City diner hidden camera video: Mayor Healy, Beldini meet with Dwek, March 13, 2009
- FBI informant, Jersey City deputy mayor Beldini discuss campaign donations, March 24, 2009
Carola Von Hoffmannstahl-Solomonoff
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