Bribery Sting: Mims Hackett quits Assembly

Mims Hackett
Former Assemblyman, Mayor of Orange

Today's Ledger reports that Mims Hackett, Assemblyman and mayor of Orange, quit his Assembly post Friday, according to a voicemail left on a Ledger reporter's phone late Friday evening (more here).

Whether he will also resign his mayor's post is unknown.

An important point to keep in mind is that the accused were simply arrested, and not indicted by a grand jury. The indication is that US Attorney Chris Christie has such a strong case -- envision hours and hours of tapes -- against each of the individuals that he believes he will get convictions simply by presenting his evidence.

Hackett's resignation only underscores that likelihood.

At the annual Dem gathering in Atlantic City, Gov. Jon Corzine called for all of the arrested figures to step down from public office (more here).

Is there a 'culture of corruption' in New Jersey?

You tell me.

Meanwhile, Bally's bartenders report the hottest drink at the conference is a Pepto-Bismol and tonic water highball.

---

Hackett Resignation: "Accused Essex assemblyman quits Legislature"
Democratic Annual Conference: "Clinton, state Democrats stage lovefest"

-- Dan Damon

View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe.

ARCHIVED POSTS OF PLAINFIELD TODAY FROM 11/03/2005 THROUGH 12/31/2006 ARE AT
http://plainfieldtoday.blogspot.com/