Passaic Mayor Sammy Rivera isn't interested in negotiating a plea deal in his federal corruption case and fully expects to be indicted early next year, his lawyer said Tuesday.I reported on this September 6 and 7, and the Bergen Record provided a scorecard at that time - 11 of the 12 officials arrested were Democrats. This is yet another reason why people are getting tired of the media outlets - they are failing readers in providing the facts. They are, however, more than clear as to their opinions because it is more than apparent that only Republicans have their party affiliation prominently displayed in these corruption and scandal articles.
A judge has granted Rivera another 60 days to pursue a possible plea deal before prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury, court records show. A court order, signed last week by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne Bongiovanni in Trenton, granted a second continuance in Rivera's case.
But Rivera's attorney said it doesn't make a difference.
"There are no plea discussions going on," said defense attorney Henry E. Klingeman. "The government expects to indict Mayor Rivera at some point. But everybody is busy and they're planning to wait until after the first of the year, as far as I can tell.
"I would expect the next event in the case to be an indictment," said Klingeman, a former federal prosecutor.
"As he's said repeatedly, he's planning to defend himself," Klingeman added, "and that's what we're going to do with vigor."
Rivera was one of 11 public officials arrested by the FBI on Sept. 6 on charges of extorting more than $150,000 in bribes from cooperating contractors in an undercover sting dubbed operation "Broken Boards" He has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.
UPDATE:
Don Surber links! Thanks!
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