Michael Gartland of the Bergen Record is now telling us that an illegal partnership may be the undoing of the Boss of Bergen County and his Lackluster Lackey-in-Chief: A consulting firm at the center of a federal investigation did not incorporate in New Jersey or file an affirmative action report, as required by law, according to state officials.
Governmental Grants Consulting also doesn't show up in a database covering corporate documents from all 50 states.
The only paper trail left behind by the firm is the contracts it had with at least five Bergen County municipalities, along with records showing payments for those contracts.
Hmmm. Let's see - if they opened a bank account under an illegal business name, then that would be bank fraud. If they mailed a bill to their clients, then that would be mail fraud. Looks like it's pretty bad for Ferriero and Oury. Oury, in particular, seems to have "forgotten" to file disclosure reports for some of his conflicted interests.
The best excuse for those handing out contracts? Take a lesson from James Guida, former mayor of Lyndhurst: Former Lyndhurst Mayor James Guida, said he thought Spatz showed him the proper credentials for a limited liability company, but was not entirely certain.
"I met the fellow, I think, once," he said. "Governmental Grants - it sounded professional. David Spatz - he sounded very professional."
Ineptitude and stupidity, it seems, will be the defense.
In related news (or soon-to-be-news-I-hope), there has been a lot of hard feelings (understandably) towards my old boss, Congressman Steve Rothman, for his public support of Joe Ferriero following the Senate primary. As I recall, however, Congressman Rothman showed some real courage in pulling his support for a grant in North Bergen because of ongoing investigations into no-show jobs in the Public Works Department. Surely these revelations about Oury/Ferriero's (allegedly) illegal partnerships are enough to cancel any feelings of loyalty Mr. Rothman would feel towards his "long-time friend". If nothing else, Mr. Rothman's constituents would like a public statement to the effect that he would not support anyone currently under investigation for illegal activities for the position of County Chair.
At least, I would. |