Posted by After being denied parole in January 2002, Prisco hired the law firm of Democratic power broker Donald Scarinci. In May 2002, Prisco's parole denial was vacated and his parole was reconsidered after circumventing normal appeal procedures. He was approved for early release in August 2002, midway through his 12-year sentence. on November 28, 2004 at 18:17:04:

In Reply to: The 'Donald posted by on November 27, 2004 at 11:30:36:

Hold Harvey accountable

Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/16/04
An Asbury Park Press editorial

Two years after Attorney General Peter C. Harvey began investigating the circumstances that led to the early parole of Angelo Prisco, a reputed high-ranking member of the Genovese crime family, he still doesn't have any answers. Senate President Richard J. Codey, who replaces Gov. McGreevey today, must prod Harvey to provide them -- not only about Prisco's release but Harvey's failure to wrap up the case.

Harvey began his probe after State Police reported allegations that someone in McGreevey's office interceded on Prisco's behalf. After being denied parole in January 2002, Prisco hired the law firm of Democratic power broker Donald Scarinci. In May 2002, Prisco's parole denial was vacated and his parole was reconsidered after circumventing normal appeal procedures. He was approved for early release in August 2002, midway through his 12-year sentence.

A story in the Sunday Press, based on a deposition by parole board executive director Michael W. Dowling in a related whistle-blower lawsuit, suggests that a call from Scarinci to a deputy manager of McGreevey's 2002 election campaign, Efrain Feliciano, triggered a meeting with then-board chairman Mario Paparozzi and Prisco's ultimate release.

The whistle-blower suit was filed by former parole board executive director Kenneth Connolly, who alleges that when he objected to Prisco's parole, Paparozzi implied that the parole decision had been influenced by James Davy, McGreevey's operations chief at the time. McGreevey and Davy vehemently denied having any role in the decision. Harvey stated in a letter on the eve of Davy's confirmation hearing as human services commissioner in March 2003 that Davy was not a target of his investigation into Prisco's release, but he stopped short of exonerating him.

Harvey's refusal to bring this case to a close -- and his continued failure to prosecute corruption cases -- is an issue Codey and the Senate Judiciary Committee need to address head-on. McGreevey refused to do it. If Codey wants to improve the ethical climate in Trenton, he should make his dissatisfaction with Harvey clear. Calling for hearings on Harvey's job performance before the Judiciary Committee would be a good start.

New Jersey cannot rid itself of political corruption or its scandal-tainted reputation without a competent attorney general. Harvey demonstrated long ago he is not up to the task. Unfortunately, Codey can't force Harvey out -- New Jersey governors can't fire the attorney general. But Codey should do everything he can to hold Harvey's feet to the fire.

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: Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/16/04
: An Asbury Park Press editorial

: Two years after Attorney General Peter C. Harvey began investigating the circumstances that led to the early parole of Angelo Prisco, a reputed high-ranking member of the Genovese crime family, he still doesn't have any answers. Senate President Richard J. Codey, who replaces Gov. McGreevey today, must prod Harvey to provide them -- not only about Prisco's release but Harvey's failure to wrap up the case.

: Harvey began his probe after State Police reported allegations that someone in McGreevey's office interceded on Prisco's behalf. After being denied parole in January 2002, Prisco hired the law firm of Democratic power broker Donald Scarinci. In May 2002, Prisco's parole denial was vacated and his parole was reconsidered after circumventing normal appeal procedures. He was approved for early release in August 2002, midway through his 12-year sentence.

: A story in the Sunday Press, based on a deposition by parole board executive director Michael W. Dowling in a related whistle-blower lawsuit, suggests that a call from Scarinci to a deputy manager of McGreevey's 2002 election campaign, Efrain Feliciano, triggered a meeting with then-board chairman Mario Paparozzi and Prisco's ultimate release.

: The whistle-blower suit was filed by former parole board executive director Kenneth Connolly, who alleges that when he objected to Prisco's parole, Paparozzi implied that the parole decision had been influenced by James Davy, McGreevey's operations chief at the time. McGreevey and Davy vehemently denied having any role in the decision. Harvey stated in a letter on the eve of Davy's confirmation hearing as human services commissioner in March 2003 that Davy was not a target of his investigation into Prisco's release, but he stopped short of exonerating him.

: Harvey's refusal to bring this case to a close -- and his continued failure to prosecute corruption cases -- is an issue Codey and the Senate Judiciary Committee need to address head-on. McGreevey refused to do it. If Codey wants to improve the ethical climate in Trenton, he should make his dissatisfaction with Harvey clear. Calling for hearings on Harvey's job performance before the Judiciary Committee would be a good start.

: New Jersey cannot rid itself of political corruption or its scandal-tainted reputation without a competent attorney general. Harvey demonstrated long ago he is not up to the task. Unfortunately, Codey can't force Harvey out -- New Jersey governors can't fire the attorney general. But Codey should do everything he can to hold Harvey's feet to the fire.


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