Former NJ state senator convicted of bribery and pension fraud
From Sunshine Review
19 November 2008
Former chair of the state Senate Budget Committee Wayne Bryant was convicted November 18 on 12 counts of bribery and fraud. Serving 25 years as a lawmaker, the conviction makes Bryant one of the most powerful New Jersey public officials to be found guilty of federal corruption in recent years.[1]
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[edit] UMDNJ
In 2002, Bryant solicited a job from Stuart Cook, the then president of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Michael Gallagher, a former dean, set up a rigged hiring process to get Bryant a "low-show" job there for $35,000 a year.
Prosecutors said Bryant had practically no actual responsibility at the job, while witnesses testified that he would sometimes show up on Tuesdays, read the paper and talk on the phone, but do no actual work. However, during the years he worked there, he increased state funding to the school by at least $10.5 million.[1]
For his part in the scheme, Gallagher was convicted on one bribery charge and 5 mail fraud charges.
[edit] Pension fraud
Bryant was also convicted of increasing his pension from the state by taking a job at the Gloucester County Board of Social Services. Although Bryant was hired for the position, he sent young associates from his law firm to cover for him, and received pension credit for the work performed there. Between 2002 and 2006, Bryant worked less than 15 hours there, while his associates racked up over 3,800.[2]
[edit] Brazen
While the defense argued this is just how things get done in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie said that Bryant was set apart from other officials who take part in illegal activities by how brazen he was, "He stole in plain sight. He thumbs his nose at the public."[1]
Christie went on to say, "Wayne Bryant is a disgrace, and [he] is now a federal felon headed for prison, which is where he belongs. It is an absolute abomination that Wayne Bryant ever held a position of authority and prominence."[2]
