I support Mike Russo 100% and believe him over any government wire.
Please vote for me in May so Mike and I can keep delivering to Hoboken what it deserves.

Did you know that it can rain on your leg even when not a drop hits your head?

Did he keep a straight face as he lied through his teeth?

Mike Russo should ask the FBI to release the bribe tapes so we can hear how reluctant he was when he agreed to the bribe.

The authors of the Jersey Sting have responded to Mike Russo:
http://hobokenhorse.blogspot.com

Nothing against the Light Horse Tavern but it hardly seems an appropriate venue for doing the people's business on the up-and-up. What is wrong with this town?

The deafening silence of the Russo/Mason cheerleaders and paid political consultants as their loudest man in the room faces yet another scandal ! :-)

Russo is on the defensive again in less than a week and his response is to accuse those reporting the story of lying: the two Pulitzer Prize winner journalists. Good luck with that Russo and good luck at the polls because you're going to need it. Residents of the 3rd Ward are sick and tired of the Russo family style corruption- no matter what Mikey keeps saying it hasn't skipped a generation.

An offer of a campaign contribution is not illegal. A bribe was never discussed. A bribe was never offered. The councilman never met with the man again. The book offers less than half the story and names no sources. It is clearly intended to sensationalize the fact that the councilman's surname is Russo. I understand the authors, one of whom now works for the New York Post (a real bastion of journalistic integrity if there ever was one), want to sell books. That's fine. What is unfortunate, and very revealing, is that Greg Lincoln still has not told voters what he's ever done for the 3rd ward, or what he intends to do for the 3rd ward other than vote in lockstep with the mayor. That's not independence; that's a rubber stamp. Will Greg Lincoln fight for a 3rd ward park if the mayor decides to reward her uptown cronies with a park in their neighborhood? Will he call for full transparency on the sale of the hospital? Will he call for the city to give a portion of the surplus back to taxpayers? Will he admit that the administration really DID try to move the municipal garage to the 3rd ward? Not likely, because he does what he's told, and right now, he's being told to just jump up and down and scream "His name is Russo!"

Deja vu all over again. The latest in the long litany of Russo family transgressions makes me wonder when will the voters in the Third Ward finally say enough ! Hopefully this May.

The choice of Greg Lincoln over Michael Russo for Third ward City Council should be easy for those voters who want a Hoboken they can be proud of again.

The Association is planning the foulest, lowest retaliation for this truth escaping. You Hoboken do gooders will pay for this.
My minions are working overtime. We are cranking up a midnite flyer campaign. It will be well received here and elsewhere with more than a "mention."

You mess with La Familia's business, you pay. Mason411 await your orders.

The story of council conflicts that won’t go away
Bhalla made it clear he wouldn’t respond to Hoboken411, hoping the story would just go away. Wrong again Councilman. There’s too much to the Condon Conflicts to ignore. You already know Bhalla approved a $29,000 no-bid city contract for friend and officemate Paul Condon without even so much of as a public mention of his relationship. When called on it, Bhalla’s initial public comments might have left some with the impression he has no financial entanglements whatsoever with Condon. It turns out that’s not true. Under repeated questioning, Bhalla was forced to admit the following to reporter Tim Carroll:
• Despite an internet damage control campaign to the contrary, Bhalla and Condon signed a JOINT, three-year lease for the suite they share. Bhalla admitted if one were to default on the lease, the other would have to pay.
• Bhalla and Condon also share an employee in the form of a receptionist who handles business for both attorneys.
• Bhalla and Condon also share office equipment and supplies, which cost money.

1.Pay-to-Play is when a vendor, contractor, or other professional service makes campaign contributions to public officials, party officials, or parties themselves, and receives political benefits such as no-bid government contracts, political appointments or nominations, special access or other favors. There have been plenty of political appointments made to candidates who wrote big check during the last election cycle. Here are some of the most disgusting examples of pay-to-play: Jake Stuiver contributed $3,850 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and was appointed to the Hoboken Housing Authority. Keith Furman contributed $3,681 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and was appointed to the Planning Board. James Aibel contributed $3,000 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and was appointed to the Zoning Board.
Phil Cohen contributed $2,300 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and was appointed to the Zoning Board.
Eric Kurta contributed $1000 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and appointed to the Hoboken Hospital Authority Board. As a candidate for 1st Ward Council.
Jonathan Metsch contributed $1,500 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and was appointed to Swine Flu Task Force and Hoboken Hospital Authority.
Forde Prigot contributed $950 to Dawn Zimmer’s Mayoral campaign and was appointed to the Library Board.
Perhaps the Mayor should reform how the City sells off seats on our boards instead of using taxpayer money to fight political opponents!

People really didn't need another reason to vote for Greg Lincoln for the Third Ward , but Michael Russo keeps giving people more reasons.

As an elected official being offered a bribe for zoning variances, why didn't Mike report this to the officials. Mike himself admitted the guy was shady- Is this how Mike looks 0ut for the residents of Hoboken?

Here is my Mikie Squared retort,
if a bribe was offered why didn't he report?,
The expression says "Like father like son",
ain't political corruption boatloads of fun?,
And the truth is there like sport to distort!

Mikie offered on behalf of Cammarano to transact,
it is an undisputable and corroborated fact,
He claims it was a campaign donation,
His opponents are asking for his damnation,
and it is time for sensible voters to vote him out and act!

There once was a scam for five dollars a tow,
allegedly perpetuated by Mama Russo,
Mikie then said with a grin,
I didn't committ no sin,
My father did all the bad stuff just let it go.

Mike Russo is allegedly corrupt as they come,
It is high time citizens voted out this bum,
To him bening Finance Chair is one big game,
Doesn't this guy have any ounce of shame?,
If his side wins the taxpayer to increases will succumb.

I perhaps I am going out a bit on a lark,
Is Pupie supporting Timmy cause his big car he can't park?.
When the vote by mail ballots come in,
Will Tim finally be exposed as a shim,
The citizens fo Hoboken can't be left in the dark.

GO NJ AG GO!
GO NJ AG GO!

Calling Timmy independent is flat out disingenuous,
But on vote buying and VBM harvesting he is mangenious,
Don't ask him too much about policy,
He will read from a binder some Bajardi-eqsue fallacy,
As thinking about the real issues for him is strenuous.

Nino claims to be the voice of reason,
But his votes waffle and waver with political season,
He now votes consistently with the "Council of No",
and before with Roberts and Russo,
But to real taxpayers his votes are a form of high treason.

Mike's handlers shot their load with Ian Sacs,
but by Ian's account it was he who was attacked,
Hoboken 411 should probably get sued,
Since very little it says is true,
Mikie and crew really have a hard time with the facts.

Amazing obsession with the councilman you kids have going. It's kind of amusing to see how much anger and vitriol you have to spare.
Anyone who supports the mayor is wonderful and beyond reproach. Anyone who doesn't, is corrupt, or just Italian, which is the same thing, right? Not surprising since your hand-picked "candidate" Greg Lincoln has no record to run on and no plan for the ward. Keep it up. You're doing a great job spreading hate and lies.

How much more can Mikey sweep under a rug? Last week Russo's caught hiding his father's health benefits; this week he's caught hiding a meeting with Dwek discussing illegal payments. What will we learn next week if Mikey can't sweep fast enough?

Beth Mason is puportedly besides herself,
If she loses her politcal career would be on the shelf,
She has a ton of consultants that create her spin,
She will shift her vote just for the sake of win,
and send out for attack the angry bushy eyebrowed elf.

How could Beth Mason surround herself with such grime?,
She has aligned herself with the La Familia of Hoboken crime,
She and Lane are all in with Hoboken 411,
If she loses will Lane pull out a gun?
That certainly would not be a very good time.

I predict that Beth Mason in the 2nd Ward will not be best,
a result that Lane Bajardi certainly would detest,
He would have a hard time getting off his weening,
After all his devoted service to Beth's queening,
The resulting anger from Lane could require a kevlar vest!

You have got to give it to Terry,
On constituent services voters are merry,
Rather than produce a constructive legislative fix,
Terry went thumbs down on noise and tried to have it it nixed,
Having sensible laws in Hoboken for her would be scary.

"La Familia of Hoboken crime"
No ethnic suggestion there, at all.
Racism is racism, whether you call someone a WOP or refer to them as "La Familia"

I'm Italian, I used the same metaphor for family and good luck trying to salvage Mike Russo's corruption with that.
The only one who used a derogatory term here is you. Go have a smoke David and stop with this rubbish.

Beth Mason hired Paul Swibinski to repeat the surplus lie,
And the voters saw through her and she did not understand why,
she then gave a seminar on the surplus of the budget,
and didn't like the numbers so she said"what the heck, I'll fudge it",
And that is why in the taxpayer Brownstones its Beth's name that voters decry.

I'm sure the councilman is not saying he's a victim, never has, but I will take the opportunity to point out your snarky racism in the hopes that you smart kids will own up to it so us dumb kids can know where you're really coming from.

see how dumb we are? we thought u were being racist when you're actually just being ethnically intolerant. thanks.

Us vs Them .

One of the ways the Russos have always used to deflect criticism from their wrong doing is to try to widen the discussion to such a point that so they and their deeds are no longer the focus.

The crimes and misdeeds of the Russo family and are Michael Russo and his cousin Terry Castellano ositting on the Hoboken City Council just a continuation of the family legacy is the discussion at hand.

That is a discussion the Russos don't want to have and will go to extremes to avoid.

That is the is the discussion Hoboken must have.

Marcus, when you're done - if you ever are - do let us know what you believe is the right amount of smoke to blow to change the subject from a man having a sit-down with Dwek and accepting a bribe offer.
.
Advise also what you feel is the correct extent of scatter-gun blogger-blaming to distract from the fact that 2 celebrated authors have made and pointedly stood by the subject mentioned. As an avowed messenger-shooter, I look forward to your remarks aimed at Amazon.com and the Times bestseller list.

3:30 Today @ the Malibu Diner on 14th St. Mike Russo & the Jersey Sting have a chance to get together. This time Mike Russo won't be on a surveillance tape enjoying some chow with FBI informant Solomon Dwek and agreeing to taking some cash!

Wow...is this convo still going on? Id think you all would be out of tissues by now.

I say keep the thread alive until Claire corrects the headline. Seems like she's using intentionally non-descript geadlines to bury her own stories and deprive her own site of traffic. This is not the first time its happened and if her bosses at AOL knew I suspect they'd be a bit disappointed in her poor judgment.

Is the Mason-Russo marriage over already? Mason isn't standing by her man and they were so cute in their matching corsages at the city hall ceremony. Who knew Mikey was such a romantic? Did Mason have Mikey sign a pre-nup? I guess we'll know soon enough.

Russo did the right thing. He sat down with a person who wanted to support him, heard him out and decided he did not to want that kind of support. He broke no laws here. This is not a defense, it is a statement of fact. Did Dawn not meet with Dweck because her husband's diamond dealer network warned him about the sting operation? We will never know. What we know is that Russo actually took the correct action and he gets lambasted all over this board by the same group of cheerleaders who have efficiently killed debate everywhere they join hands to muddy the waters. I think the editors of Patch should be getting bored by now of your m.o. - take over a board or and organization to monopolize the thought (or if you cannot succeed, demonize it as "corrupt"). Truly transparent. Keep repeating your perspective until enough people think it is true - FOX News does it, why shouldn't our right wing cartel of Zimmeristas do the same. It kind of works.

Well, that's what they say in the 12 step programs. You have to hit bottom first. Let's see, at long last the Masons and depleted entourage are defending Russo's caught-on-tape acceptance of a bribe. Saying the Zimmer's escaped because of Stan's diamond merchant friends. And now about to pour a queenly sum into 6 council races to try to keep what you stole in November. And going to lose. Big. That sounds like the bottom to me.
.
Let the healing begin.

Yeah John , stop pointing out an obvious network that Grossbard has used to his advantage in the past (and present). Only the real keepers of the public interest, like horsiepants, giantanus and anorexica can be racist (oh, pardon me, ethnically intolerant) and say things like "la famiglia" and "the syndicate" and "going to the mattresses" when referring to an Italian American. Besides, haven't you heard, it's war! Mason and Russo are at odds. They're infighting. They're throwing chairs at one another! Russo is about to call for a vote against Mason, or is it Mason who's going to jump ship to the Zimmer side? Oh, I can't keep up with the theories, but you know the basic premise: Italian American, mob! Jewish American, above reproach. Black, violent thug. Latino, living 10 to an apartment. That's it in black and, er, white.
Outrage in 3, 2, 1 ...

right on cue ...

ENOUGH ALREADY
THIS TRIPE IS STUPIDY PERSONIFIED>

YES WAIT UNTIL MAY__IT"S MY BIRTHDAY

Mama may have and Papa may have but God save us from the child who wanted a bribe all his own. ;-)

Agreeing to a bribe is not acceptable. The council should call on Michael Russo to step down from the finance committee. This is not going away.

Russo will try to use his failure to collect the bribe as his defense.
.
However, the only acceptable response from Russo would have been to immediately report the incident to the authorities. The language is muted. No one says, "I'm offering you an illegal bribe in exchange for political favoritism to my projects." But what possible explanation other than a bribe offer is there for Dwek saying, "...and AFTER THE ELECTION, I'll do the same. It'll be more [than $5000]."
.
AFTER the election? Now Russo wants to quibble about whether he discussed it with the fourth estate - which also appears to be a lie. But who cares? The only discussion I want to hear about is with the police. Why didn't that happen? Why? What adult explanation does Russo have for how this could ever be construed as anything but an attempt to buy a politician's support? That's a crime. Why didn't he report it?

Part I:

Eric Kurta to council majority: 'Suspend Councilman Mike Russo'

Kurta for City Council announces:

1st WARD COUNCIL CANDIDATE ERIC KURTA DEMANDS COUNCIL INVESTIGATE RUSSO BRIBE, CALLS FOR SUSPENSION

The allegations that have come to light in the recently released book Jersey Sting are deeply troubling. Hoboken's 3rd Ward Councilman and current Council Vice President Michael Russo is on tape agreeing to accept a $5,000 bribe and ongoing payments from FBI informant Solomon Dwek. The facts are well documented by the Pulitzer Prize winning journalists who have written the book and are now widely distributed.

When I was president of People for Open Government (POG), I led the charge for campaign finance reform because open government and clean elections are the key to making Hoboken successful. If we do nothing in light of serious allegations that a sitting councilman and chair of the Revenue and Finance Committee agreed to accept a bribe, then we are condoning unethical behavior from those that are supposed to govern.

Part II:

Corruption and incompetence have plagued our great city for too long, and I refuse to sit idly by and wait for Hoboken to plunge back into the same system that made us a doormat for developers and special interests. I demand that the Council Majority suspend Councilman Russo from the position of Council Vice President and Chair of the Revenue and Finance Committee until such time as a complete and thorough investigation of the facts can be completed.

Our elected officials are duty-bound to look out for the best interests of their constituents. When those same elected officials refuse to do or say anything about allegations that the Chair of the Revenue and Finance Committee is accepting bribes, they are failing to do their jobs. Who else might Councilman Russo be agreeing to accept bribes from? How has that money affected our city's finances? Why is Russo's cousin, 1st Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano been so quiet on the issue? What are the council members hiding who elected Russo to Vice President of the Council - Castellano, Mason, Occhipinti, and Giacchi?

Part III:

When the behavior of our elected representatives makes us question the legitimacy of our government, when our councilmembers refuse to do their jobs, we must take action into our own hands by firing them on election day. Let's send a message that we will no longer tolerate criminal behavior from our elected officials. Lets vote for reform on May 10th.

Signed,

Eric Kurta
Candidate for Hoboken City Council, 1st Ward

lol! Eric Kurta awakens, everybody. With all the issues the 1st ward is facing, this is how he's spending his time? Oh, maybe this is fodder for his master's thesis on Hoboken politics. Walk around the 1st ward a little, Mr. Kurta. The people you want to represent don't give a crap about your politics, especially when they have nothing to do with the 1st ward. Come up with some suggestions for improvements. Maybe call for some transparency in the hospital sale process you are so closely guarding? That's something that's not in the 1st ward. Maybe you can speak on that.

Hoboken's Culture of Corruption the 900 lb gorrillia in Tuesday's election.

While some like Beth Mason embrace it for their own personal gain Hoboken must reject it to survive.

Why not just give it up. The Russo incident is just old news.

Look at the tallies for RUSSO. his consyituants gave him a resounding win

So you critics now have another 4 years of Michael. Wasnt it St Michael who slew the dragon????

Russo is filth, like Marion Barry getting caught smoking crack and getting elected. Hey he was a corrupt degenerate too!!

The election is over. The administration supposedly has control, but it is a small hold

There are too many council persons who are just too smart (compliment) to march in lock step when they know that something is wrong (like the surplus) and will not put the ball and chain around their mind or their voice for too long.

And that is the way it should be

This nonsense about Russo/.Mason is old old news.

How about getting the ball rolling to fix the disaster called our streets. I had to have struts replaced since sinking into pot holes bigger than my car wheels
How about REALLY starting a dialogue with theb hospital to find out what is really included in the paltry offer of 52 million or is 92 million. Sounds like the surplus
The hospital property includes 1. the hospital 2. the GARAGE (what will the rates be when it gets tyransferred. 3 how many Hoboken residents will lose their spaces ? What will happen to the Medical Building,-- another condo. And little known the open parking lot across from Biggies

I would say over 150 million dollars

The City appointed the board of the hospital. That being said, cancel the board, No Mayor Zimmer wants it to change hands, Fine, but not for 50 Percent, LESS than it is ALL worth

Oh great joy! A daylight drunken Donny P post! My day is made knowing that such gibbersih can be spewn while the sun its out! Your alcohol fueled logic is too twisted to follow. There is a reason that thos charged with significant tasks are not allowed to drink while on the job. Please leave the thinking and planning on how to deal with the hospital to those that can remain sober while performing their job duties. Reminder: Keyboards and alcohol dont mix well.