Neil Cohen

Under fire for child pornography allegedly found on his legislative office computer, Assemblyman Neil Cohen has resigned his seat, effective immediately.

The resignation letter, dated yesterday, was received by Dana Burley, the clerk of the State Assembly, at 9:24 a.m. today.

"Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, effective immediately," read the entirety of the letter.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil Cohen may be charged with having child pornography on his legislative office computer

• Friends depict Cohen as a 'loner' and an enigma
• Assemblyman's status on hold
• Cohen investigated following child pornography accusation

Union County Republican Chairman Phil Morin said he takes no delight in the troubles of Democratic Assemblyman Neil Cohen, who’s under investigation for child pornography that was allegedly found on his legislative office computer.

But knowing  that a resignation from Cohen could come soon -- which would bring about a special election in the 20th Legislative District come November -- Morin does have a few potential Republican candidates in mind. 

District 20 Legislative Office on Friday: Politicker photo 

UNION - The front door to the District 20 Legislative Office swung open but inside the place was almost barren.

"I’ve been instructed to refer all press to the statement on the front door," said Thomas Lynch, chief of staff to Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), chair of the Democratic State Committee.

A pair of sound trucks were parked on Stuyvesant Avenue and a handful of reporters stood in front of the office, studying the release taped to the door.

Cryan and state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) released the statement last night, which says they referred tbe actions of their colleague, Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Roselle) to the Office of Legislative Services.

New Jersey Democrats have already begun a process of filling Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil Cohen’s position as a Barack Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver next month. Cohen, an early Obama supporter, is an At-Large Obama delegate. The logical choice to replace Cohen is Reed Gusciora, a veteran Assemblyman from Mercer County who is the first Alternate for Obama. Democratic National Committee rules require representation from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) delegates, and Gusciora is one of two openly gay member of the Obama delegation. Hillary Clinton’s campaign has six LGBT delegates.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil Cohen, whose office computer was seized by the state Attorney General's office after two other legislators told them it contained child pornograpy, remains hospitalized today and is seeking psychiatric help. Attorney General Anne Milgram's office continues to have no comment.

Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage has ruled out a bid for Neil Cohen’s Assembly seat, according to Union County Democratic sources.  Under the new dual office holding ban, he would have to give up his more powerful mayoral post.  That’s something Bollwage might only do if Raymond Lesniak were to leave the State Senate.

One Union County GOP leader says he will talk to state Republicans to gauge their interest in targeting Neil Cohen’s 20th district Assembly seat in the November 2008 presidential election.  His candidate is C. Louis Bassano, who represented part of the district in the State Senate from 1982 to 2001, and in the State Assembly from 1972 to 1974, and from 1976 to 1982.  Don’t expect Bassano, who left for a job at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, to return to Trenton.