"Former Commerce chief of staff Lesly Devereaux, already facing prison time, pleaded guilty yesterday to creating false documents as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid being retried on charges she gave $11,000 in state contracts to relatives." (Star-Ledger, 10/29/07)

“A clerk in her office drove former state ratepayer advocate Seema Singh to events such as gala receptions on New York's Upper East Side, Asian cultural celebrations and an event with India's prime minister in Washington, according to a review of travel vouchers from 2003 through 2005." (Asbury Park Press, 10/26/07)

"A lawyer who claims she was sexually harassed by former Gov. Donald DiFrancesco and fired from his law firm when she "blew the whistle" on bad behavior by a municipal judge filed suit against the firm yesterday." (Star-Ledger, 10/25/07)

“Two more of the New Jersey public officials snared last month in a massive FBI political-corruption sting pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of attempted extortion. Jayson Adams, a former president of the Pleasantville school board, and Rafael Velez, a member of the board, entered their pleas in federal court in Camden. They joined former Assemblyman Alfred Steele...who pleaded guilty to the charge last week." (Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/24/07)

"Four Jersey City Municipal Court judges have been charged with criminal offenses by the state Attorney General's Office for allegedly fixing parking tickets for themselves, their friends or family members.  Charged with second-degree official misconduct are Chief Municipal Court Judge Wanda Molina, 48, and judges Pauline Sica, 45, and Victor Sison, 64, officials said. The charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000." (Jersey Journal, 10/23/07)

“Former Assemblyman Alfred Steele pleaded guilty to attempted extortion yesterday, barely a month after he and 10 other public officials were snared in an FBI sting that spanned the state.  Steele, a 53-year-old Baptist preacher from Paterson, admitted taking $15,500 earlier this year. He became the first person charged in the statewide scandal to plead guilty. The Democrat acknowledged using his clout as a six-term Assemblyman to help an insurance brokerage firm land contracts in exchange for the bribes and a cut of the revenue. The firm turned out to be a front for the FBI."  (The Record, 10/22/07)

"When Terence Wall resigned last month from his position as the borough's manager, he didn't leave empty-handed — he received a $52,492 lump sum payment, according to documents released this week.   Wall got $37,508, equivalent to four months of his salary, and $12,984, which represents six weeks worth of unused sick and vacation time, according to the five-page separation agreement.  As part of the deal, Wall and the borough agreed to part ways and not sue each other in the future, according to the agreement, which the Asbury Park Press obtained after filing an Open Public Records Act form." (Asbury Park Press, 10/19/07)

"Moshe Gahar thought a $50,000 bribe would buy him approvals for a 75-unit housing development in Ocean Township. Instead, it bought him two years in federal prison.  Despite Gohar's service in the Israeli Army and numerous acts of charity, U.S. District Court Judge Joe; Pisano refused Wednesday to give Gohar a lesser sentence than the maximum recommended under federal guidelines." (Asbury Park Press, 10/18/07)

Vernon W. Hill II, the controversial founder of Commerce Bank, is well-known as an entrepreneur, a fabulously successful businessman and the owner of the biggest residence in New Jersey. But he has captured less attention in another role — as a farmer. Because Hill harvests seven cords of wood each year, he is granted "farmland assessment" for the 43 acres that surround his palatial estate (in Moorestown). He pays only $295.98 in property taxes per year on the land around his six-bedroom, 10-bath home off East Main Street. (Gannett, 10/17/07)

“A man filed a complaint yesterday in municipal court alleging that a camera-shy Dawn Zimmer, who is running for the Fourth Ward City Council seat she briefly held, tried to grab his camera on Friday.  According to the complaint, the man decided to take a picture of her near First and Madison streets at around 5:15 p.m., when, using foul language, she asked who he was and why he was taking pictures.  The complainant reported that Zimmer then grabbed him by the wrist and tried to grab the camera. He then said he was able to break free and ‘walk away.’” (Jersey Journal, 10/16/07)