July 24, 2008 - 8:37pm
News

Cryan and Lesniak reported Cohen

The child pornography investigation of Assemblyman Neil Cohen was touched off by his legislative running mates, the two legislators revealed this evening.

State Sen. Ray Lesniak and Assemblyman/Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan were notified of images found on Cohen’s computer by a staffer. They then reported the matter to the Office of Legislative Services, which in turn contacted the office of Attorney General Anne Milgram.

Below is the full joint statement from Cryan and Lesniak.

“We have been in constant touch with the appropriate authorities throughout this situation, and will continue to follow the Office of Legislative Services guidelines and counsel in this matter. As the facts became apparent in our office, we notified the appropriate agency and will continue to assist in any way possible. While it was our proactive steps that led the investigation to this point, we are appalled at what has transpired.

Both of us have known Neil Cohen for more than two decades. We know him as a compassionate caring individual, but if the allegations prove true, clearly there was a side to him neither of us knew. We have been instructed to not make any further comments regarding this very serious matter.”

EARLIER on PolitickerNJ.com:

MAX PIZARRO is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at matt@politicsnj.com.
Related topics: Ray Lesniak, Neil Cohen, Joe Cryan

Comments

credit where credit is due


I don't think much of Cryan or Lesniak but you have to give them credit on this one. They did the right thing and their statement takes an appropriate hard line on the horrific actions of Cohen.

07/24/08 10:51 pm

Credit?


Ehhh. . . They may have done "the right thing," but keep in mind that Cryan and Lesniak share an office with Cohen and by turning him in, they cover their own butts.

Clearly, the deviant actions of McGreevey and Cohen and the scandals and arrests of the likes of Bryant, Coniglio, Lynch and James indicate a problem within the Democratic party of the state of NJ.

Bottom line, we need better leaders in this state.  And we need them NOW!

"I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.”
- Johnny Ramone

07/24/08 11:13 pm

credit where credit is due


Are you kiddung me?????????????

07/24/08 11:47 pm

Hopefully...


...Cohen will get sent down to Louisiana so Bobby Jindal can burn his balls off.

Sick son of a bitch.

He sucks you guys right in. So consider yourself sucked!- Bill Parcells

07/25/08 10:07 am

Hopefully...


I also doubt that Cryan and Lesniak would've cared if there was no risk of any impact on their respective careers. 

He sucks you guys right in. So consider yourself sucked!- Bill Parcells

07/25/08 1:02 pm

Smells like a set up


This whole thing smells like a set up. When you have Cryan and Lesniak pointing fingers something is wrong, and it's not necessarily the person getting pointed at by those two. Warlords are like that, you know.

07/25/08 11:31 am

Something Stinks.....


Why wouldn't state investigators seize all computers that Cohen had access to? If he shared an office with Cryan and Lesniak, its stands to reason that all computers should be seized. And who tipped off Cohen? Clearly the story wasn't leaked (by Lesniak) until after Cohen was safely admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Lesniak's own behavior - both personally and professionally - has long been a source of speculation. Holding him up as some sort of hero is just plain wrong.

07/25/08 1:10 pm

Joe


C'mon anyone in their right mind would turn this guy in it has nothing to do with protecting their own butts. Your terrible. This is not a Dem Rep issue. Cryan and Lesniak did the right thing period.

07/25/08 4:48 pm

Come on, SJ


This is great. SJ says that I am terrible. Not Cohen. Not NAMBLA. Not the jerks who defend NAMBLA.

No, they are not terrible.

I am. Becasue I am disgusted by their deviant and dangerous behavior.

"I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.”
- Johnny Ramone

07/25/08 8:28 pm

This things does smell to high heaven


its too convenient, too neat, too wrapped up. How is it that the one staffer became mr/ms csy and figured this one out and then tipped off Cryan and Lesniak? Do they all use one computer if they share office space or are there several computers that staffers interchange? I don't think we should be throwing roses at Cryan and Lesniak just yet, they may be trying to cover their own behinds. I remember how "sorry" Lesniak was to cash in on his "best friend" Mcgreevey with all those front page stories, this was before he fired the guy. With friends like those...

07/25/08 11:26 pm

Joe


No not at all. You are terrible for implying that Cryan and Lesniak are less than sincere. where the hell did NAMBLA come from? Of course its not terrible that you find Cohen disgusting. The fact that you made this a Dem Rep thing is terrible.

07/26/08 12:09 pm

Cryan


Was Cryan stalking Cohen? Lesniak, now there's a man I would trust, NOT!

07/26/08 2:27 pm