New Jersey Legislators Hit With Subpoenas

Criminal investigations into the dealings of New Jersey legislators continues.

The subpoenas, which were delivered to Democrats and Republicans alike, intensified a weeklong battle between the Legislature and the United States attorney for New Jersey, Christopher J. Christie.

A spokesman for Mr. Christie declined to comment, but several lawmakers said the subpoenas were related to expenditures that the Legislature had inserted into the state budget since 2004, when the Democrats captured full control of the State House. Those expenditures, known as “Christmas tree items,” are often awarded with little review and in the middle of the night as legislators rush each year to meet the budget deadline.

In separate statements issued hurriedly on Friday — after business hours and at the start of a long holiday weekend — the two Democratic leaders, Senate President Richard J. Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., and their Republican counterparts, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, vowed to comply.

“A subpoena from the U.S. attorney’s office was received by our office today, and we obviously will cooperate with the U.S. attorney,” Mr. Roberts said. “Corruption is not a partisan issue. If the U.S. attorney is going to conduct an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing, it’s an inquiry that we welcome and will assist in.”

In the longest statement of the four legislative leaders, Mr. Lance praised Mr. Christie’s efforts.

“Since 2004 the budget process has become dysfunctional,” he said. “This was particularly true last summer, when the state government shutdown was prolonged for more than a day while at least $200 million worth of Christmas tree items earmarked for Democratic districts were added to the budget.

“The Republican members of the Legislature demand immediate reform of the process of adding legislative additions to the annual state budget,” the statement said.

Prosecutors look like they're focusing on the last minute pork barrel projects that get added on with little to no oversight.

The subpoenas cover the years 2004 through 2006 -- a span when the Legislature was controlled by the Democrats.

Investigators have also requested relevant e-mails, memos and notes from meetings relating to these legislative spending initiatives, a knowledgeable source said. Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, declined to comment.

Two other Camden Democrats, Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, the Budget Committee chairman, and state Sen. John Adler said they were also interviewed about Bryant, but would not discuss specifics.

In his statement, Roberts said the Assembly Democrats would cooperate.

They'd cooperate because they have no choice. If they didn't cooperate they'd be seen as blocking an investigation into corrupt activities and therefore seen as someone trying to hide their actions.