Shocked, shocked I say.
Federal agents used a phony insurance brokerage as part of a sting operation that resulted in the arrests of 11 public officials in New Jersey this morning, including two state assemblymen and the mayor of Passaic.
The officials, arrested in a sweep by F.B.I agents early today, are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Trenton on charges of accepting cash bribes to influence the award of contracts, according to a written statement from the office of Christopher J. Christie, the United States Attorney for New Jersey.
The investigation started in mid-2006 after the F.B.I. received evidence of corruption in contracts issued by the Pleasantville School District, federal prosecutors said. The school district, located just east of Atlantic City, is one of the state’s poorest; in July, a state monitor was appointed to oversee its finances.
I can imagine why a school district, located east of Atlantic City, would be poor. Property values must be really sinking.