DeCROCE STATEMENT ON BRYANT GUILTY VERDICT SAYS VERDICT SENDS STRONG MESSAGE “While it is a sad day for our state when a public official is convicted of abusing his office for personal gain, today’s verdict should be welcomed by New Jersey residents as evidence that our justice system has worked and corruption will not go unpunished.  “This verdict should send a strong message to elected and appointed officials across New Jersey that if you abuse the power of your office and violate the public trust, you will be held accountable. There are consequences to actions and today Senator Bryant learned that lesson.  “Chris Christie and his staff have set a new high standard for attacking corruption and hopefully our state’s next U.S. Attorney will continue to aggressively prosecute public corruption and hold officials accountable for their actions.”