NJ Lawmakers Under Corruption Cloud Lose Salary
New York, NY —
Three members of the New Jersey Assembly who are facing corruption charges, have been stripped of their legislative salaries and benefits.
Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. had already removed Assemblymen L. Harvey Smith, Joseph Vas, and Daniel Van Pelt from their committee posts. Smith and Van Pelt were arrested in last week's federal corruption sting. Vas was charged in an earlier, unrelated case.
Roberts says "taxpayers should not be on the hook for services that cannot be effectively rendered."
Meanwhile, the Jersey City Council has rejected a resolution that called for council member Mariano Vega to resign, following his arrest in last week's political corruption scandal.
The measure was defeated by a 7-1 vote, defying the sentiments of a large group of residents in attendance.
Prior to the vote a long line of residents took turns denouncing Vega for refusing to step down. Some held signs saying "Shame", and "Thieves and Crooks Must Go".
