More from the NJ Attorney General Jeff Chiesa's Office:
http://hobokenhorse.com

"It's been cleared up!"

Even they are not silly enough to try to spin this.

The close ties to Hoboken's OLD GUARD politicos to John Correa are very well known.

They want this to just go away as fast as possible.

Yes. After they initially spiritedly backed an investigation into the missing million dollars, for some reason their interest in the missing million went from 60 mph to zero in under 10 seconds. What changed? Hint: probably NOT their sincere belief in some quasi-informational internal audit which was later exposed as being completely fake. Why? Well because if you believe that, I might as well break the news to you now that there is a school of thought that the tooth fairy is a cute little feel-good fabrication too, s/he just involves less quarters changing hands behind closed doors.

While I would believe they are that dishonest, that seems way to reckless and I'm sure they would have done the process behind closed doors.

Connecting the dots to "This Thing of Ours"? Now that's a new frontier. The wired in council members who couldn't shoot straight?

castellano and russo need to be held accountable. what did they know, and when did they know it?

If you have any proof to back this up, we'd love to see it.

This is not new information but as requested Tom, here's some information to connect the dots.

Last December MSV reprinted a story including the connections of a southern NJ arcade company and the mob when the million plus in quarters was identified as missing.

The question: why were three no bid contracts awarded to a southern NJ firm in the first place that was in the arcade business, not the municipal accounting business?

Brian Petaccio had mob connections prior to his Hoboken "engagement" in the video poker business, a well known profitable mob operation in the region.

The quarters were taken out of Hoboken and transported to southern NJ with no counting at all before taken out of town.

http://www.hobokenhorse.com/2011_12_19_archive.html

The story of both Michael Russo and Terry Castellano has changed. After the monies were identified, with no investigation and no outside law enforcement agency moving on the matter, they attempted to persuade the late Mo DeGennaro the problem was resolved. Russo characterized it as his "mistake." Castellano infamously said not once, not twice but three times, "It's been cleared up."

The video with the brief timeline of what occurred in just over a month Dec.to Jan. 2008:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJTx-almAv8

At the last City Council meeting Castellano claimed their was no need for an investigation as the FBI did so. False. The NJ Attorney General's office would come in months later and only then was it "cleared up."

It should be noted that Michael Russo's uncle was/is Hoboken's CFO of record.

It also should be noted that before Mayor Roberts hired John Correa it was widely reported that due to his past dealings he had been barred from Wall Street.

Things that make you go hmmmmm.

Tom - your request for "proof" here for well known facts demonstrates the silliness of your assertion that you can be "objective" because you aren't jaded by any actual knowledge of history or context. The failure of Hoboken's local press to ask a single question or write a single word about the coverup is a disgrace. The proof is on a videotape that has been up on youtube for years and has been shown again and again on other sites. The Roberts Administration, with the obvious public complicity of Mike Russo and Theresa Castellano, attempted to cover up the theft of $1 million. They knew about the theft in late 2007and overtly lied to the public and to those Council members who were not complicit. The man they knew to be responsible was not held accountable in any way. In fact he remained director of the Parking utility until Zimmer became acting mayor in 2009.

These are not political "claims" they are easily verifiable facts provable from the public record with no investigation necessary. Not only does Patch not cover it, you ask a poster to give you "proof!" This is not "objectivity" its bad journalism. There's a very real story here literally demanding to be written yet no one has written it. Perhaps the reasons why would be a story too!

Prove the skeptics wrong - get the facts and write the story not spin.

Well, they're not covering the Calicchio or Klaussen trials either, RH. This is just a matter of selective editing. If the corresponding cases were against reformers, Patch would pounce on it. They've made it clear what they're about. The apple didn't fall far from the Hoboken Reporter after all.

Decisions not to cover the Calliccio and Klausen "stories," are arguably legitimate exercises in editorial discretion though I disagree with the choices. The coverup of the quarter theft coverup is an entirely different animal. It is a major public corruption story and there is no legitimate journalistic reason for not covering it. If it is not covered that choice is nothing short of journalistic complicity in government corruption raising serious questions of journalistic integrity.

Patch showed further "editorial discretion" by covering a bar room altercation involving a former Kids First BOE candidate but not covering the story earlier this year when he had to do an emergency baby delivery at home. Just not as interesting I guess..

"In 1993, John Corea was permanently barred from working at the New York Stock Exchange for trading so improper, one NYSE official called it "egregious." An NYSE investigation concluded that in 1990 Corea, who worked as a stockbroker at the time, purchased shares numerous times by pretending they were for a company that didn't authorize the trades. In such cases, traders normally buy the shares for themselves. But Corea refused to do so, and in an act nearly unheard of, he "walked off" the Exchange floor, leaving the firm with a loss of $656,632, said Steve Brostoff, vice president of the NYSE's Regulations Division of Enforcement.
Corea was disqualified as a member of the NYSE, but the next summer Corea pretended to be an employee of another firm and continued to enter trade orders.
After a long investigation, with which Corea failed to cooperate, Corea received a punishment of "censure and permanent bar," which means that no member of the NYSE could hire him in any capacity. In the decision, hearing officer Vincent Murphy wrote that "Mr. Corea's conduct was so far removed from the standard of conduct ... that no lesser penalty would be appropriate.""

http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/07/why_was_parking_head_john_core.html

@hobokenhorse @redraven @thismeanswar

Perhaps I should have been more specific. Is there any proof (not connect the dots, not follow the money, not other news stories or blog posts) that there was mafia influence/intimidation at work here?

I'm not saying those other choices do not reflect bias - I think they clearly do. But each of those choices standing alone can be defended. Its only when you take the record as a whole - ie covered this and not that - that the bias becomes obvious. If Tom hasn't been paying much attention to Claire's choices over time then he could be genuinely unaware of the bias though now that its obviously been brought to his attention he no longer has that excuse.

The quater heist coverup on the other hand isa major public corruption story and the failure to cover it doesn't require any context to understand.

"On her way out the door, Attorney General Anne Milgram announced the indictment of the former director of the Hoboken Parking Utility, John Corea, who is charged with conspiring with a contractor to steal more than $600,000 in parking meter funds from the city of Hoboken. The contractor is Brian Petaccio of Toms River, who pleaded guilty in September to stealing more than $1 million in coins from Hoboken’s parking meters. You can find Petaccio in The Soprano State (paperback page 262). Petaccio, who was convicted of running an illegal video poker operation in the wake of an indictment alleging organized crime, had been denied a liquor license application for an Atlantic City bar. But he had his record expunged and reapplied for a license after former Gov. Jim McGreevey took state troopers off investigating Atlantic City liquor licenses. The bar plans were canceled after coauthor Sandy McClure started asking questions."

http://www.thesopranostate.com/update09.htm

"In November of 1990, the state Attorney General's office "filed a major civil forfeiture action seeking to take title to Grayhound Electronics, Inc. of Toms River, a manufacturer of amusement games," according to a report on illegal gambling machines made available on the New Jersey state website. "The complaint alleges that the firm was 'created by and is controlled by associates of' the LaCosa Nostra family of Nicodemo Scarfo and their designees," the report states.

Another account in the report describes the connection between the business owners and the crime family. It states that George Fresolone, "a 'made' member of the Bruno/Scarfo crime family ... had been assigned by Nicodemo Scarfo, Sr. (now incarcerated head of the Bruno/Scarfo crime family) to collect tribute from Carmen Ricci and Brian Petaccio, the owners of Grayhound Electronics."

"Ricci and Petaccio not only manufactured the [illegal gambling] devices, they distributed them in South Jersey and Philadelphia through a company called B & C Enterprises," the report said.
http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/2416338/article-Meter-made--State-police-look-into-missing-parking--

Tom - if you're asking whether there's proof the coverup was due to mob intimidation the answer is no. There was a coverup - tha tappears to be a fact. Moke Russo and Terry Castellano first threatened to expose it and then reversed course and participated actively in the coverup. That is also a fact. As to why - a responsible reporter would be trying to find out and at least asking and reporting the questions.

Were they intimidated by the mob? Was the threat to expose things a tactic to extort something from Roberts? If so what was the quid pro quo Russo and Castellano received? Just the fact that there was a coverup by government officials isa big story even if there's no "proof" of exactly who got what illicit payment.

These are the questions the press never asked for reasons that cannot be explained easily. Now's your chance to prove you're not like the others.

Thanks Red. Just to be clear, though, I'm not reporting for this site, I'm the regional editor for all of the Bergen and Passaic county sites. In other words, I oversee the editorial side of those sites. I've been minding Hoboken for the past two weeks because Claire was away, and then my counterpart took a much needed vacation.

I've reported pretty extensively on the mob over the past 17 years for The Record, The Asbury Park Press and The Herald-News, which is why I ask the questions. My expertise is in the DeCavalcante family...

@nice try

Thanks for those. I appreciate it. I have the Soprano State book, will crack it open later.

Asking the question is there proof there was any mob influence at work here is somewhat begging the question. Brian Petaccio has been sentenced and yes his "work" was not in Hoboken per se, it was further down south. It's obviously connected to Hoboken and the Hoboken Parking Utility.

The HPU has let's say a colorful history and the FBI detailed Michele "five-bucks-a-tow" Russo's work there.

(As background MSV covered Michele Russo's extensive county search for a taxpayer paid job with benefits after she and her husband were flagged in an audit for costing Hoboken $100,000 in illicit health benefits.)

As another commenter notes, Petaccio has been named in "the Soprano State," for an earlier conviction involving video poker, a mafia cash cow and the indictment alleged organized crime involvement.

One must suspend disbelief to believe the $1.1 million or more looted from Hoboken's Parking Utility ended with just two people sentenced. Of course anyone could be naive to the basics of paying tribute, but MSV does not include itself among them.

However, Da Horsey will say godspeed to those who are continuing the investigation without detailing it further in this forum.

Questions are always a good thing. Questions all around! To all my friends!!!

In fairness, albeit dismissive fairness, I think Tom is here as homeroom teacher rather than as a journalist. Detention, yes; expanded news coverage by Hoboken Patch, no.

Tom I get the sense you genuinely are not familiar with the full story so here it is in a nutshell. Back in 2004 or so, Mayor David Roberts hired John Corea, a man who had been suspended for life by the NASD for fraudulent trading, to run its Parking Utility. Mr. Corea then hired known mobsters to handle the meter collections. It is unknown whether any other government officials were aware of the mob connection but they certainly should have.

In late 2007, the Roberts administration became aware that money was being stolen. Councilmembers Russo and Castellano became aware as well, probably advised by the City's CFO George DeStefano who is a close relative. Russo gently questioned the accounting of HPU revenue at a budget hearing in late 2007 in what appears in hindsight to have been a threat to the Mayor rather than an actual attempt to expose anything. Apparently the Mayor got the message, Russo was given whatever was required to buy his silence, and the coverup proceded successfully until Zimmer fired Corea and the AG blew the lid off in 2009.

This account is completely factual - no conjecture except for the guess at Russo's motivation. Oddly, our local press seems unconcerned with the coverup and the role played by people who still hold public office, content to pretend that this is a story simply about John Corea.

Clearly, there is far more to this story than has been told, and many are frustrated that the proper questions have not even been asked.

@RedHaven - If in late 2007 the administration et al. became aware of public funds being stolen, would they not be bound by duty (or by law) to call in outside authorities? Is it not possible that an external investigation was already underway by the time that the CC quieted down about it--because they did not want to impede the investigation by speaking about it? I can't figure why else there would only be one person demanding answers about the 'missing million'.. (a private citizen at that)

Tom, part of the problem in this town is nobody is reporting on things like who stole all the quarters, who covered it up, who knew what when and why did certain elected officials turn a blind eye to the blatant theft of so much money. You say you have some experience on reporting on the mob and I for one would welcome an experienced reporter looking into the criminal behavior that has plagued this town. So please, take your experience and write some pieces already! Claire seems like a sweet girl but she is completely in over here head here in Hoboken when it comes to covering stuff like organized crime, corruption & all the lying, cheating and stealing that goes on.

Well you do know who the CFO is, right?

I hope you are being censored, you're one of the reasons why I don't read this site anymore. As a public official yourself on the zoning board you sure have a sour mouth. You are hardly the professional and its an embarrassment to anyone not connected to you to know you're part of making important decision within this community. You're thoughts and opinions are grotesque in their verbiage. You should step down or shut up.

Now 'Beth', if you don't read this site then why are you reading this site? Your commentary is over-the-top, and there is no 'Beth Horowitz' in Hoboken. Not sure if censorship covers partisan attacks from fictitious characters.

Let's see.

Beth, no opinions of GA's bear upon matters before the Zoning Board, so she is under no obligation to step down or shut up. Your beef is not with her conduct as a ZBA member but with the opinions themselves.

Your preference for censorship - which is the essence of the only 3 posts you have ever made - is well noted. Why don't you go out and play for a while. http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/hoboken-s-girl-scouts-celebrate-earth-day#comment_3178160

Wow, you looked me up too? Yeah there is 2 of us actually, and we both rent, not making big bucks like you to own anything. Please refer to my post to Tom on the girl scout thread hence why I am here reading it today. Tom, do you see what people like this nuisance woman are doing? Chasing away everyone that dare leave a comment. Stalking people and looking them up. Tom is this what you want your readers to think, that if they comment and don't agree with someone then they'll be looked up? No wonder 20 people like this site and 10k don't.

Now 'Beth', how do you know that I own something? You seem to have done your research. You are a little too jazzed about me. Perhaps you are stalking me?

TMW, pls don't feed the troll.

Beth your post are off topic, confrontational, begging for others to attack you.

You told Tom you wanted a fight and it took another confrontational past before anyone would need to take you up on it.

Should I call you Journey or Dr, Phil? You guys pollute this site worse than that bozo over at 411. Every time Hoboken gets a site someone has to crap all over it. Nice to see Tom taking an approach to stop this and get rid of the derelicts like this nutcase Nancy and some of her other cohorts. Im happy to meet any of you in person this afternoon to relay my thoughts personally. Should any of you want to talk let me know and we can arrange a meeting. thanks

Certainly, Beth. Contact me: grafixavenger666@gmail.com

I look forward to the Beth Horowitz sit down.

Wanna join, Horsey?

Pretty simple really. If you don't like what is said on the internet just move on. No one is forcing you to read these comments. Feel free to chime in or not

Beth's a FAKE!

Took you a little too long to email, 'honey'.

I'm not giving any of you my personal email, lets arrange a time for everyone to get together today. If I give you my email you'll write something about me, i don't trust you nancy, in fact nobody does but Im happy to arrange and time and place here so everyone can join and share, perhaps the coffee place on 4th and Bloomfield later tonight?

What a FAKE. Go piss off, 'Beth'.

Now I'm a fake and being told to piss off by an appointed Zoning Board member, wow Tom you're site is becoming so glamorous.

Fake-Beth says:

"Im happy to meet any of you in person this afternoon to relay my thoughts personally. Should any of you want to talk let me know and we can arrange a meeting. thanks"

Then Fake-Beth says:

"I'm not giving any of you my personal email, lets arrange a time for everyone to get together today. "

Fake Beth, have you read GA today?

http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/04/timmy-throws-fit-in-hoboken-reporter.html

Is Nancy being a wimp? I am happy to meet at Empire coffee at a specific time to chat but it sounds like maybe you're scared? Meeting you and withholding my email are just fine. You will google my email like you google everything else and I prefer to keep my information private et my name public. My email reveals some personal things I don't want you or anyone to know, medical stuff. You want to meet or you want to beat around the bush and make excuses to not show up? Maybe Mayor Zimmer was right when asked about you and your rants when she said "it is was it is"

Love the smell of phony pop up names on a Sunday morning. Smells like phony Bet

Sara Sullivan, Beth Horowitz and whichever GA-obsessed name you'll be tomorrow ---- please consult a map. You are living in the most densely populated urban area in the northeast - not Kansas. If it's all too rough for you, then go home.

TMW, this is not your argument, buzz off!

Okay, really, please stop. Everyone go to their own corner.

For the record, Beth, I absolutely can get an IP address banned.

Every commenter and their cat uses proxy these days, banning IP's still occurs these days?

Oh really? No thanks, 'Beth'. But I am sure you know where I live. You may come here promptly at 3:30 pm and I'll give you 20 minutes of my time. Come alone.

Sorry I have an appointment with my manicurist then, come to Empire as stated and show yourself or it will only prove with a bull crapper you are. A phony for now and nothing more

Fake-Beth, that is the available time in MY schedule for YOU, and you have declined. But I can stop into your manicurist on the way to my appointment. Which manicurist? Where? We can have a brief chat, at least get introduced.

FAKE-Beth.

Last thing i need when getting pampered is you next to me, see you at Empire

Oh no, Fake Beth.

#1--I call the shots, not you.
#2-- It's 3:26 and you ain't at the manicurist.
#3- once suspended, you won't be able to come back at the same IP.

OK, Fake Beth. Got things to do, enjoy your fake day,

I've already contacted Tom about our Fake-Beth situation. Time for a Fake-Beth suspension.

Old Guard? Im my own woman and you're all sacks. Paid hacks or doing it for free cookies and milk, something like that. Speaking of lives, i comment 1 day you all comment every day.

Everyone stop. Please. Let's move on. You don't need to have the last word...
I don't want to have to close comments on what is a pretty important story.

You can come to Empire too, or you can create all these Zany comments to deflect it and such. Not one any side, just a resident sort of fed up with the shit on here.

Tsk tsk. Did our Fake Beth use profanity? Isn't she supposed to be at the manicurist?

Well, rtrux. Interesting theory.

its called having a blackberry , you know what that is?

paid in "diamonds"...ahhhh, you've shown your hand. we all know where that came from, and where this is going.

shown what? the truth? the zimmolanterns will deflect anything and everything, wake up hoboken

Typical vicuous anti semitic comment from the likes of Pussface and company. And they tried to skewer GA for exhibiting anti-semitism on her blog towards Betsy, today I am going to wear an enormous cross necklace, no, now I want to wear a star of David, Damn, what day is it?, Mason. Pathetic and sad.