"SCARENDEZ"

AG Should Open Investigation Into Menendez-Scarinci Inc.
Corzine Should Direct All Public Agencies To Sever Relationships With Donald Scarinci

TRENTON, NJ - Republican State Committee Chairman Tom Wilson issued the following statement today in Statehouse Press conference in Trenton, New Jersey:

"For more that twenty years, Bob Menendez and Donald Scarinci have been joined at the hip. Their lifelong connection is well documented and without dispute. Friends since childhood, they worked together for decades to create a powerful alliance that was involved in virtually every project that government touched in North Jersey. So close is that connection that their hometown paper have dubbed them 'Scarendez.'

It is no coincidence that Mr. Scarinci ends up profiting from virtually everything that Bob Menendez becomes involved with. Hudson Bergen light rail, Xanadu, the North Hudson Community Action Corporation, the list goes on and on back to Menendez's days as Mayor of Union City when he tapped Scarinci to be the city attorney. In return, Scarinci becomes what was described by one longtime Union City activist, Menendez's right arm delivering his messages, doing his bidding, and acting as his surrogate. Not once during that 20 year relationship did Bob Menendez do anything to disabuse anyone of the notion that Scarinci was his right arm.

Donald Scarinci was created by Bob Menendez to serve Bob Menendez. If Menendez didn't know that Donald Scarinci was out making deals and wielding influence using Bob Menendez's name, then he is the only person in New Jersey who didn't.

That is why his efforts now to disavow Scarinci are so ridiculous. The facts presented in news stories over the past 24 hours are not new. Dr. Sandoval filed his suit nearly six months ago and it was reported in Menendez's hometown paper. In March, Mr. Menendez knew that Mr. Scarinci had invoked his name to pressure Dr. Sandoval to hire Dr. Ruiz in exchange in return for quote 'protection.' Let me read this section of the story for you:

'Menendez's name appears in connection with the allegations leveled against Donald Scarinci, the senator's longtime friend and key fund-raiser who is a partner in the Lyndhurst law firm Scarinci and Hollenback. Sandoval claims in court papers that in 1999 he was in danger of losing his county contracts when Scarinci told him that Menendez would 'very much appreciate if Dr. Sandoval would rehire Dr. Vicente Ruiz, a physician that Dr. Sandoval had fired one year prior. The claim continues that Scarinci told him that by hiring Ruiz, Sandoval would have 'protection' from Janiszewski and would not lose his county contracts.'

Mr. Menendez knew all of this six months ago and the man who calls himself a reformer who takes on corruption, who stands up to the right thing no matter what did nothing. He did nothing until yesterday when this story threatened to end his already faltering campaign. Why didn't Bob Menendez question Mr. Scarinci then? Why didn't he confront Scarinci six months ago when this information first became public?

Even Bob Janiszeski, a man who sits in jail today because of Oscar Sandoval, testifies in court documents filed in May 2006, that he quote knew 'both Mr. Scarinci and ... Menendez were advocates for Dr. Vincent Ruiz and had previously advocated on his behalf with regard to the possibility of county contracts for Dr. Ruiz.'

Why didn't Bob Menendez speak out in March or in May or in July? I'll tell you why. Because not only did Bob Menendez have full knowledge of Scarinci's actions he supported them just as he has supported, condoned and permitted Mr. Scarinci to serve as his right arm for 20 years.

His efforts to distance himself now is nothing more than an act of political theater, a campaign tactic. It is not sincere. You cannot erase 20 years of partnership with a campaign statement. Even now, Mr. Menendez is contradicting himself. His campaign says that they are severing ties with him, but in today's Star Ledger, Mr. Menendez himself says quote 'I am not severing ties with him on a personal basis.' Let's also note that Mr. Menendez continues to rent office space from Mr. Scarinci for his fundraising operation and he has not offered to return the huge volume of campaign contributions that Mr. Scarinci has delivered to Menendez during this campaign or any other. The fact is, Mr. Menendez cannot severe ties with Mr. Scarinci no more than he can cut off his right arm.

When Attorney General Rabner was in the US Attorney's office, he was involved in prosecuting public corruption cases including the Janiszewski case. He is all too familiar with the pattern of conduct that is again presented in the in Menendez Scarinci matter. During his confirmation process he promised that he would bring his considerable skills to cleaning up corruption in New Jersey saying quote 'The law has to be above any consideration of politics or power or wealth. Our goal is to get at the truth.'

Today, I am calling on Attorney General Rabner to let his actions speak louder than his words by opening an investigation into this matter and the twenty year partnership that is Scarendez Inc.

Governor Corzine has similarly professed a zero tolerance policy toward public corruption. He too must back his words with actions. He should start by directing that all public agencies that employ Donald Scarinci and his firm sever those relationships. Clearly, Mr. Scarinci does not exemplify the high standards of conduct which Governor Corzine has said needs to be maintained in order to restore public confidence in government. Particularly troubling should be his work at the CRDA. When casino gaming was first introduced to New Jersey, those in power were steadfast in their desire to keep unsavory figures from becoming involved in the casino industry. Mr. Scarinci has no business being anywhere near the casino industry in New Jersey.

The time has come to put an end once and for all to Scarendez Inc. The people of New Jersey will do their part by ending Mr. Menendez's public career. Governor Corzine and Attorney General Rabner must also do their part."

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