The Birdsall Pay To Play Report Part One: Hudson County

A recent in depth report by the NJ Star ledger shows how pervasive the now bankrupt engineering firm Birdsall paid off politicians throughout New Jersey, on both sides of the aisle in order to cement their lucrative business operations. According to the report Birdsall made illegal donations via their employees who were subsequently reimbursed. Their state filed reports hid their actions for 6 years.

Birdsall made over 1,000 secret contributions to mayors, council and county candidates and freeholders totaling over $1 million. This led the firm to cash in over $84 million in public contracts. This included major New Jersey power brokers and corrupt politicians like former Mayors John Bencivengo of Hamilton, Peter Cammarano III of Hoboken and Dennis Elwell of Secaucus.

 Below are the Hudson County donations:

 Hudson County          4/23/2012        Birthday Celebration Honoring Hudson County Clerk Barbara A. Netchert           

                        Committee to Elect Barbara A. Netchert        Dem    1500

Hudson County          3/3/2009          Barbara Netchert Reception  

                        Committee to Elect Barbara Netchert County Clerk  Dem   600

Hudson County          6/1/2010          Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari Contribution           

Frank Schillari For Sheriff      Dem    500     

Hudson County          9/15/2011 End of Summer Bash for Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari

 Frank X. Schillari for Sheriff Dem    300     

Hudson County          9/18/2008        Hudson County Annual Fall Dinner   HCDO            Dem   500     

Hudson County          11/1/2011         Cocktail Reception Honoring Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise                        Hudson County Democratic Committee        Dem    500     

Hudson County          10/14/2010      Hudson County Democratic Organization Fall Gala 

                        Hudson County Democratic Organization    Dem    1000   

Hudson County          3/24/2011        Hudson County Democratic Organization Spring Gala

                        Hudson County Democratic Organization     Dem    300     

Hudson County          4/22/2008        County Executive Tom DeGise Breakfast     

                        Thomas DeGise Election Fund           Dem    1500   

Hudson County          10/1/2009        Fundraiser for Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise

                        Thomas DeGise Election Fund           Dem    1000   

Hudson County          6/1/2011          Reception Honoring Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise

Thomas DeGise Election Fund           Dem    3000   

Hudson County          12/3/2008        Tom DeGise Good Cheer Reception 

                         Thomas DeGise Election Fund          Dem    1000   

Note: Have a tip or more information about a Birdsall donation? Contact reporter Christopher Baxter at (609) 989-0322 or cbaxter@starledger.com.

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/secret_files_reveal_how_pay-to-play_works_in_nj.html#/2