From left to right: Jason O’Donnell, Sudhan Thomas, John Cesaro, John Windish, Mary Dougherty“Jason O’Donnell has dedicated his life to serving his community, has always conducted himself in a manner that makes his family and friends proud, and has consistently and vigorously fought for their best interests,” O’Donnell’s attorney, Leo Hurley, told Fox News. “He intends to contest these allegations with equal vigor and to enter a plea of not guilty to the charges against him.”
Former Morris County Freeholder John Cesaro was charged for allegedly accepting an envelope containing $10,000 in cash and $2,350 in checks from the cooperating witness. He later returned the cash and asked for it to be replaced with checks. The two allegedly discussed using “straw donors.”
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At a later fundraiser, the complaint said Cesaro accepted two checks for $2,600 each, the maximum limit for contributions in any given state election per candidate. The cooperating witness described them as “my straws.”
Former Mount Arlington Councilman John Windish allegedly accepted a $7,000 cash bribe for his unsuccessful bid for re-election to borough council in June 2018. In return, Windish allegedly promised that he would support the tax attorney’s appointment for borough attorney.
Mary Dougherty, a real estate agent from Morristown, allegedly accepted a cash bribe for $10,000 from the cooperating witness. It was initially delivered as cash but later converted to checks from “straw donors”
During a meeting at a restaurant, Dougherty allegedly accepted the $10,000 cash in a takeout coffee cup. The pair met again and Dougherty accepted four checks, each for $2,500. When the checks were delivered, the cooperating witness said. “These are my straws… so I just need your support for reappointment. Don’t forget me.” “I won’t. I promise. A friend is a friend, my friend,” said Dougherty.
O’Donnell and Dougherty were charged only with second-degree bribery, since they were not yet in office at the time of the alleged bribe. Thomas, Cesaro and Windish are also charged with second-degree acceptance of unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior.
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Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. The second-degree charges against those who held public office at the time of their alleged conduct carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison without eligibility of parole under New Jersey’s enhanced penalties for official corruption.
Original Article : HERE ;
from MetNews https://metnews.pw/5-new-jersey-officials-political-candidates-accused-of-taking-massive-bribes-indicted/
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