Another week, another mention of Rothman boosting donors

For the second time in eight days, there are reports that U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) is using his office to help out to campaign contributors.  Last week, the New York Times reported that Rothman and three other members of the New Jersey delegation asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a medical device manufactured by one of his donors, even though science professionals at the agency felt the device was ineffective and dangerous.  Today, The Record reported that a witness in the federal corruption trial of former Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joseph Ferriero testified that Rothman wrote letters at the request of a grants writing firm owned by Ferriero and Dennis Oury, the former counsel to the Bergen County Democratic Organization.  Oury was to be Ferriero's co-defendant, but he pleaded guilty earlier this week.

Rothman was among the largest recipients of campaign contributions made personally by Oury to federal candidates - he took nearly $5,000 in recent years. His office has not responded to numerous inquiries seeking to determine if Rothman would return the money. 

Another Bergen County Democrat, State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), announced that she would contribute the $1,000 she received from Oury to a local charity.  Weinberg did that on the day Oury pleaded guilty.

Bergen County Democratic Chairman Michael Kasparian, whose organization has received considerable monies from Oury over the years, has also declined to address his intentions now that there has been an admission of guilt.