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SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE.
Last night, I appeared on Cablevision, Channel 18 news, for a story regarding the alleged $5,000 bribe that 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo agreed to accept in return for expedited development contracts. The alleged bribe has gained considerable traction over the last week in light of the book The Jersey Sting uncovering the unsavory deal and the undercover FBI footage released byThe Star Ledger.
To read more about the alleged Russo bribe, click here, here and here.
I issued a public statement demanding the Hoboken City Council take immediate action to remove Councilman Michael Russo as Chair of the Revenue and Finance Committee of the City Council, to remove him as Vice President of the City Council, and to conduct a thorough investigation into Russo’s campaign finances for the past 2 years to ensure that there was no illegal activity. It has not gone unnoticed that my opponent, Councilwoman Theresa Castellano, who is Russo’s cousin, has taken no action and made no statements on the matter. If our public officials do nothing to defend the integrity of the legislative branch of Hoboken, then they condone such corrupt behavior and fail the citizens who elect them to office. Read More...
Hoboken Democratic Party announces:
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April 6, 2011
The Hoboken Democratic Party supports the introduction of legislation calling for the censure of Councilman Michael Russo and calls upon Councilman Russo to resign as Vice President of the Hoboken City Council, Revenue and Finance Chair, as well as Commissioner of the Hoboken Housing Authority. Read More...
Word of the protest today at City Hall is getting out and about and Hoboken Revolt the group who brought us the party there last time in 2009 is on board for the second installment, “We’re not done with Hoboken corruption.”
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| Scene of the last protest for the same sale to developer interests in 2009 |
Guess you just can’t say a job is done until it’s actually done. Well Councilman Mike Russo kept a lid on it for two years just about, but when word got out, it really got out.
So 6:00 is showtime and there’s something special also in the works for the folks. Read More...
Hoboken Revolt announces:
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The Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition
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A message to all members of Hoboken Revolt
Hoboken Revolt is calling for the immediate resignation of Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo. Yesterday’s release of videos filmed by the FBI showing Russo’s meeting with informant Soloman Dwek revealed conduct unacceptable of an elected official. While Councilman Russo was not formally charged with criminal conduct, the court of public opinion finds his behavior to be a brazen misuse of power that violates the trust of every Hoboken citizen. As residents, taxpayers and voters we deserve more from our elected officials.
In July of 2009 the residents of Hoboken were subjected to a Mayor who was convicted of criminal actions in connection with what appears to be the same federal investigation. He disrespected the integrity and sacred trust of his constituency. Former Mayor Peter Cammarano infamously said something like ” Those who are not with me will…. be ground into powder”. Now we have a sitting Councilman who openly acknowledges his influence peddling and general lack of respect for Hoboken residents who aren’t in his “family”.
Councilman Russo spoke of conversations he had with Council President Beth Mason where she agreed to Russo’s request for picking her three council seats in the last mayoral election, in return for his involvement in her campaign. He bragged about having a six vote majority, “I have a supermajority, a veto proof majority. At the end of the day I am going to have total control of the City Council.” Russo spoke of his “friends to help move things along” for Dwek when he inquired about development in Hoboken. He went as far as saying, “Once we get all those people in place we will expedite.” Russo also admitted to getting Hector Claveria appointed to the Housing Authority and providing him with an apartment covering four months back rent. When Hector said he would not campaign with Russo, Russo said, “Hector let me explain to you how this works. I do for you, you do for me.” In another part of the conversation Russo stated “the world is losing common sense with all this nonsense pay to play stuff.” These statements are deplorable and show the Councilman’s blatant arrogance and disrespect for his office and the residents of Hoboken.
Hoboken Revolt asks Council President Beth Mason and the entire City Council to denounce this behavior and publicly demand the resignation of Councilman Russo. We need to send a message that corruption will no longer be tolerated in Hoboken!
Revolt encourages all Hoboken residents to attend a rally calling for the resignation of Councilman Michael Russo at City Hall tomorrow night at 6pm before the City Council Meeting.
LOVE YOUR TOWN, STAY INVOLVED!
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Visit Hoboken Revolt at: http://www.hobokenrevolt.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
This is a news clip recorded earlier this morning of 3rd ward candidate Greg Lincoln, 1st ward candidate Eric Kurta and 4th ward candidate Rami Pinchevsky on News 12. They really lay down the pipe on 3rd ward Councilman Mike Russo’s clear unfiltered, unbridled corruption.
They are facing the Mike Russo allies 1st ward Councilwoman Terry Castellano (Russo’s cousin) and current 4th ward council seat occupant Tim Occhipinti.
Mike Russo’s statement in the feature is not simply his typical politrickin, it’s out of this world Twilight Zone material. Enjoy! Read More...
Tom Greaney for 2nd ward City Council announces:
GREANEY CALLS ON MASON TO OUST RUSSO AS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Second Ward Council candidate Tom Greaney today lambasted Council President Beth Mason for her lack of resolve in responding to the growing scandal involving Councilman Michael Russo and the “Dwek” tapes that have recently surfaced.
“The statement that Beth Mason issued on this matter is a crash course on cover-up, and a seminar on the use of smoke and mirrors in politics,” Greaney said. “Beth Mason is the Council President. She has it in her power to act immediately and decisively to remove Michael Russo from the Chairmanship of the Committee on Revenue and Finance. It is time for Mason to put her constituents and the City of Hoboken first, rather than her questionable and sullied political allies.” Read More...
All day word has been spreading among different Hoboken groups planning to get behind a protest against the corruption shown in the Mike Russo FBI surveillance video.
A reader submitted this earlier today:
WHAT: A protest to call on Councilman Michael Russo to resign his City Council seat (details below)
WHEN: This Wednesday night, 6pm (City Council Meeting begins at 7pm)
WHERE: The steps in front of City Hall
WHO: You, and everyone you know that cares about bringing change to Hoboken!
Dear Friends,
We’ve read the reports. We’ve heard the denials. Now, we’ve seen the tapes.
Almost two years after Peter Cammarano’s brief stint as mayor came crumbling down with his arrest for accepting bribes from an FBI informant posing as a real estate developer seeking expedited building approvals, it has come to light that City Council Vice President Michael Russo, who’s father was another Hoboken mayor who served prison time for taking bribes, met with the same developer and agreed to the same money-for-expedited-approvals arrangement. Since this information surfaced last week, Councilman Russo has insisted that because he never followed through and accepted the money, he has done nothing wrong.
Now, the FBI’s own video surveillance tapes are available for all to see. For those who haven’t yet seen these highly incriminating videos, you can watch them here:
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2011/04/video_hoboken_third_ward_counc.html
Councilman Russo can be clearly seen not only explicitly agreeing to accept campaign contributions in exchange for expedited building approvals, but actually specifying for the check to be made out to his PAC, “Russo for Hoboken,” and boastfully dishing out various other unsavory activities and quid-pro-quo arrangements. For years, Mr. Russo has claimed to be the victim of persecution for the sins of his father, and taken umbrage at the suggestion that the apple lies anywhere near the tree. Today, we know the truth, and we need to make our voices heard.
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MSV endorses the protest and will be there to both cover it and participate!
Anticipate there will be several organizations joining in shortly. Read More...
Council members Marsh, Cunningham, Bhalla and Mello announce:
COUNCIL MEMBERS MARSH, CUNNINGHAM, BHALLA, & MELLO CALL FOR RUSSO CENSURE
Council members Marsh, Cunningham, Bhalla, and Mello call on the City Council to take action regarding revelations concerning Councilman Michael Russo. “We plan to present this resolution to the council at the beginning of the Wednesday’s council meeting” Marsh said. “Councilman Russo’s statements on the FBI surveillance tapes are appalling and we need to take steps to ensure that the Council takes immediate action to restore the public’s confidence in its governmental institutions.”
Resolution calling for censure and other actions concerning councilman Michael Russo:
Whereas a recent book entitled, “The Jersey Sting,” including the following disclosure with respect to Councilman Russo’s previously unknown meeting with Solomon Dwek:
“You need something? Boom,” continued Khalil. “Call him tomorrow: “I need five, ten grand for my campaign.” Boom.” Read More...
Office of the Mayor announces:
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZIMMER REGARDING FBI TAPES
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