Hoboken Rejects Request to Help Gov's 'Parallel' Probe Into Sandy Fund Allegations

Hoboken officials have denied requests from an attorney for the governor's administration to interview Mayor Dawn Zimmer and obtain documents previously turned over to federal authorities investigating the Sandy aid funding allegations.

Randy Mastro, who is representing Gov. Chris Christie and his administration, requested a private interview with Zimmer and for her to turn over all documents, including handwritten notes, previously released to the U.S. Attorney's Office, according to NorthJersey.com.

Zimmer, who claimed last month Lt. Gov. Kim Guadago threatened to withhold Sandy aid from Hoboken if the city didn't approve the Rockefeller project, declined the invitation for an interview and the documents will not be turned over, the article said.

"We question whether it is appropriate for the governor's office, in essence, to be investigating itself," Zimmer's attorney, Gerald Krovatin, wrote in response.

Information sought from Zimmer's Chief of Staff Daniel Bryan, Communications Director Juan Melli and councilmen Ravi Bhalla and David Mello was also denied, according to NorthJersey.com.

"In light of the foregoing, the mayor does not believe it would be appropriate for her or city officials or employees to participate in your parallel investigation at this time," Krovatin wrote.