Category Archives: New Jersey News

by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor Gov. Phil Murphy called for a cease-fire in Gaza Wednesday, lamenting the tens of thousands killed and scores more at risk of starvation in a statement that one prominent Muslim critic called an “empty gesture of support.” Murphy noted that the death toll continues to mount during this monthContinue reading “Gov. Murphy calls for Gaza cease-fire but Muslim groups plan boycott of him”

A recent report by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) revealed the caseloads of federal district court judges in New Jersey for the five years ending June 2023. The data, which includes the number of individuals sentenced by each judge during that timeframe, highlights the diverse workloads handled within the state’s court system. Leading theContinue reading “Some federal district court judges in New Jersey are more prolific than others”

A former New Jersey corrections officer admitted orchestrating two different fraud schemes, including a cryptocurrency scheme that resulted in losses of more than $600,000. John DeSalvo, 47, of Linwood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court on March 25, 2023, to a two-count Information charging him withContinue reading “Former New Jersey corrections officer John DeSalvo admits to crypto fraud”

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor Gov. Phil Murphy signed a reauthorization of the state’s transportation trust fund Tuesday that will bump up the state’s gas tax and levy a new registration fee on electric vehicles. The bill, which passed both chambers in near party-line votes, will raise revenue targets for New Jersey’s gas taxes by roughlyContinue reading “Gov. Murphy signs gas tax hike, electric vehicle fee into law”

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor As Sen. Bob Menendez prepares to face federal corruption charges in court, eight New Jerseyans have filed to run to take his place in the U.S. Senate next year. Labor leader Patricia Campos-Medina, activist Larry Hamm, and Rep. Andy Kim were the only Democrats to file nominating petitions forContinue reading “Eight vying in Dem, GOP primaries to succeed indicted Sen. Bob Menendez”

The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) on Thursday, March 21, 2024, directed Hudson County not to proceed with an award of a $13.5 million contract to a prison healthcare management company because it used an improper process without free and open competition. While private prison companies are often at the center of debates over inhumaneContinue reading “Hudson County ordered to halt $13.5 million jail health care contract”

Former Vineland Mayor Robert Romano, 71, found himself on the wrong side of the law on Monday morning when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DUI) after allegedly crashing his car into a metal fence at the City Hall parking lot. The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at the City Hall parking lotContinue reading “Former Mayor arrested at City Hall for DUI after allegedly crashing his car”

As the race to succeed indicted incumbent Senator Robert Menendez officially begins, eight candidates have filed petitions to seek the Democratic or Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey. The primary election is scheduled for June 4, 2024, and the official list of candidates for the US Senate primary election includes three DemocratsContinue reading “3 Democrats, 5 Republicans seek seat of indicted incumbent Senator Robert Menendez”

Paterson Police Department officers responding to a report of a shooting in the area of 12th Avenue and Auburn Street about 2:39 p.m. found a 16-year-old gunshot victim, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes. Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi said the victim was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatmentContinue reading “A 16-year-old was injured Sunday during a daytime shooting in Paterson”

As March awakens from winter’s slumber, a celestial harbinger of change graces the night sky. The Worm Moon, bathed in the silvery glow of its fullness, ascends on March 25th, painting the New Jersey landscape with a vibrant promise of life emerging from the frozen earth. But this moon’s name carries more than just theContinue reading “Spring stirs as the Worm Moon rises: A New Jersey stargazer’s delight”

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit train on the North Jersey Coast Line yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 3:52 pm near the Hazlet Station on Holmdel Road. According to NJ Transit spokesperson Everett Merrill, the train involved was not in passenger service and was moving along the tracksContinue reading “Pedestrian Fatality on North Jersey Coast Line Near Hazlet Station”

A search is underway for a suspect following a reported attempted abduction in Lakewood on Thursday evening. The Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch (LCSW), also known as Shomrim, responded to the area of Forest Park Circle around 7:30 pm after receiving reports of the incident. Details about the victim and the exact nature of the attemptedContinue reading “Shomrim & Lakewood Police seek public’s help after attempted abduction”

Riders in Camden County looking to use the River Line light rail today are facing disruptions. NJ Transit announced the suspension of service in both directions between the Waterfront Entertainment Center and the Walter Rand Transportation Center due to flooding near Camden. River Line light rail service is suspended in both directions between Waterfront EntertainmentContinue reading “Rail service was suspended due to flooding near Camden”

As corporate profits soar to record-breaking heights and the stock market reaches historic new peaks, a stark reality persists for many Americans: the inability to afford the essentials of a middle-class lifestyle. Despite robust economic indicators, a significant portion of the population remains excluded from the prosperity enjoyed by the corporate elite and Wall StreetContinue reading “Amid record profits & stock market highs, most Americans can’t afford a middle-class lifestyle”

A New Jersey company owner on Thursday, March 21, 2024, admitted to mislabeling hazardous chemicals entering the United States and evading customs duties. George Volpe, 60, of Roseland, owner of Penta International Inc. (Penta), pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with wire fraud. SentencingContinue reading “New Jersey importer mislabeled hazardous chemicals from China.”

An Essex County man on Thursday, March 21, 2024, admitted his role in a narcotics conspiracy involving approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl, possessing with intent to distribute approximately 482 grams of cocaine, and possessing three firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 36, of Newark, pleaded guiltyContinue reading “Convicted cocaine kingpin captured in Kearny confesses to crimes “

A Hudson County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced this week to 60 months in prison for stealing over $1.5 million from over 100 victims made up mainly of non-profits, private schools, and religious institutions throughout New Jersey. Yezenia Castillo, 47, of Hoboken, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, toContinue reading “Hudson’s Hoboken hustler hoodwinked holy havens, helping hands & halls of learning”

Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso cruised to his sixth term when he ran unopposed in 2020 and he intends to seek reelection despite criminal charges for allegedly operating his business out of township offices using municipal resources, revelations about a racist scandal involving the police department, and a $400,000 taxpayer-funded payoff to cover it up. “ClarkContinue reading “Beleaguered Bonaccorso bouncing back, accused criminal kicking off Clark campaign”

Genera Fisher, 49, of Sewell, has filed a complaint against Millville Public Charter School accusing the non-profit corporation of violating the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and legal doctrines related to employment rights. The lawsuit, identified as BUR-L-000475-24, was filed on March 7, 2024, and details Fisher’s allegations of retaliation and wrongful termination. AccordingContinue reading “Fired school bus claims Millville Public Charter School violated Law Against Discrimination”

Mark Csantaveri, a 51-year-old registered Republican from Morristown, has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme that defrauded victims of over $3.4 million. Csantaveri made his initial appearance on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court and was subsequently detained. According to New JerseyContinue reading “Morristown Republican charged with conspiracy in $3.4 million fraud scheme”