Taking on `the torch': Democratic Senator Bob Torricelli of New Jersey once looked unbeatable in his bid for re-election, but the specter of a recent ethics ruling has the incumbent—and his party—vulnerable to defeat in a year when the Republicans are one seat away from regaining a majority in the U.S. Senate

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Sept 23, 2002 | by Jamie Dettmer

Commenting about the prize to a Paterson News editor, my boss's reply was direct, practical and a comment on how far New Jersey's political realities were from Wisconsin's then squeaky-clean political environment. Around here, he said, if what you dig up is less than $25,000, don't even bother, because it's not worth the legal fees of any possible lawsuit.

Recent polls in New Jersey show voter ambivalence about corruption issues. According to a recent Newark Star-Ledger/ Eagleton-Rutgers poll, 64 percent said that most people go into politics for personal gain, and 70 percent believe officeholders care more about their own welfare than that of their constituents. Other polls show that, while almost half the respondents polled say Torricelli has neither the honesty nor the integrity to serve as senator, he remains in a tight race with GOP businessman Doug Forrester.

Political scientists trace the foul ethical climate of Jersey politics to various causes. The hardball political machines of yesteryear left a large genetic imprint in the state's body politic. A decades-long demographic explosion, particularly in the state suburbs, has meant an endless windfall of contracts for public works. City officials, however, generally do not have to disclose the beneficiaries of municipal contracts, their dollar amounts or the political contributions made to incumbents by contract beneficiaries. Veteran Trenton Times reporter Harry Blaze recently noted in an editorial that New Jersey "has some of the most secretive government records in the country."

Little wonder that several years ago Pennsylvania posted signs at its border with New Jersey declaring, "America Starts Here."

RELATED ARTICLE: Ethics panel says senator violated rules.

The Senate Select Committee on Ethics issued one of its sternest rebukes in recent years when it "severely admonished" Sen. Bob Torricelli (D-N.J.) for accepting expensive gifts from a political donor-turned-convict.

In a three-page judgment, the panel chastised Torricelli for allowing businessman David Chang--a friend who later was convicted of illegally siphoning money into the senator's campaign--to provide him with personal gifts that some have called bribes. According to Chang, these "gifts" included cash, Italian-made suits, a 52-inch television and an $8,000 Rolex watch.

While receiving such "gifts," Torricelli took "official actions of benefit to Mr. Chang," the ethics panel concluded.

The committee found that Torricelli had violated Senate ethics rules, but stopped short of recommending the full Senate censure or expel him. He especially irritated the panel as he struggled inconsistently to explain his acceptance of the gifts.

In taking this boodle, Torricelli "evidenced poor judgment, displayed a lack of due regard for Senate rules and resulted in a violation of the Senate Gifts Rule, and, consequently, a violation of your public obligations," the committee said in its "letter of admonition."

The senator has cited a recent decision by federal prosecutors not to bring charges as an exoneration and has claimed in recent TV advertisements that, "I broke no laws." He has admitted to exercising "poor judgment in my associations and actions, which I deeply regret and for which I take full responsibility."