NJ Mayors, NY Rabbis Busted in Corruption Probe

Syrian Jews accused of money-laundering
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:34 AM CDT
NJ Mayors, NY Rabbis Busted in Corruption Probe
Peter Cammarano, mayor of Hoboken, is seen in this photo from his campaign website.

In a huge corruption bust, FBI agents arrested 30 people today, including the mayors of Hoboken and Secaucus, the deputy mayor of Jersey City, a New Jersey assemblyman, and several Brooklyn and New Jersey rabbis, the Star-Ledger reports. The arrests stem from a 2-year money-laundering probe centered on New York’s Syrian Jewish community. Agents raided religious institutions and arrested religious leaders from wealthy communities.

The investigation, by the FBI and IRS, eventually broadened into a public corruption probe. Those nabbed include Daniel Van Pelt, a New Jersey state lawmaker since 1988; Peter Cammarano, the newly elected mayor of Hoboken; and Dennis Elwell, 64, who’s been mayor of Secaucus for more than 20 years. Indictments have not yet been released. Court appearances are expected later today. (More FBI stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X