NEWARK, N.J. -- Essex County's top elected official, who dropped out of the U.S. Senate race this year amid a federal probe, was arrested Monday on corruption charges.
County Executive James Treffinger was taken into custody about 8:50 a.m. by FBI agents at his home in Verona. An afternoon court appearance is scheduled.
The charges include extortion, mail fraud, conspiracy and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry A. Carbone. Extortion carries the heaviest penalty, up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges mostly deal with Treffinger abusing his office to raise campaign funds, including extorting $15,000 from a company involved in other corruption cases, United Gunite Construction Inc. of Irvington.
Treffinger is also accused of attempting to obstruct the federal investigation. A covert tape recording caught him saying that he was seeking a presidential appointment as
U.S. attorney for New Jersey so he could derail the probe, prosecutors said.
I wonder what would make him think that's how things work in this executive branch.