(HAMILTON) – Following today’s verdict in which Hamilton Township Mayor John Bencivengo was found guilty on five counts of extortion and money laundering charges, Senator Linda R. Greenstein (D-Middlesex, Mercer) released the following statement:

"Now that justice has been served for the people of Hamilton, John Bencivengo must resign his office for the good of the people. 

"The unfortunate byproduct of this case is that it fosters and spreads mistrust and cynicism in government. The people of Hamilton must demand that their community’s future leaders put the residents’ needs above the leaders’ own personal interests.

"We are now at a juncture, where ethical and sound leadership is a necessity. John Bencivengo betrayed the public trust, and now it is up to Hamiltonians and their elected leaders to restore their hometown’s reputation.”