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Former mayor cooperating in corruption probe
BY ERIK
LARSEN
AND GARY
DECKELNICK
STAFF WRITERS
OCEAN TOWNSHIP —
Former Mayor Terrance D. Weldon, who pleaded guilty four years ago
to extortion, has reversed his previous non-cooperative agreement
and is working with federal authorities in a continuing corruption
investigation, according to a source familiar with Weldon's role in
the probe.
While authorities refuse to confirm or deny his cooperation, a
second source familiar with federal investigative practices says the
marked contrast in his treatment — including a long-delayed sentence
— points to his cooperation.
In October 2002, Weldon pleaded guilty to extorting $64,000 from
developers. Federal prosecutors had hoped Weldon would cooperate,
but he refused, and the plea agreement he signed was a
non-cooperation agreement.
In 2003, the U.S. attorney's office filed a motion asking the
court to impose on Weldon, 57, an unusually heavy sentence — one
that exceeded federal guidelines. Prosecutors argued they had strong
evidence that Weldon had committed other crimes for which he was not
charged.
Since October 2002, his sentencing dates have been pushed back no
fewer than five times. Initially, it was because of health problems.
As he began cooperating, however, the sentence date kept getting
pushed back. The date has been open for more than a year.
Moreover, prosecutors have given their consent to allow Weldon to
travel to Florida, Massachusetts and Connecticut almost 10 times
during the past two years, for up to a month at a time, according to
court documents. Initially, he was not permitted to leave New
Jersey.
Late last year, Weldon took a job with United Claims Service, an
insurance investigative company, for which he traveled to
Massachusetts in November, December and January, according to the
documents.
Telephone messages for Weldon's lawyer, Robert L. Galantucci, and
United Claims Service over the last two weeks were not returned.
According to court documents, Weldon's employment is temporary.
As he awaits sentencing, he also continues to draw a $54,066-a-year
pension from Asbury Park, where he was fire chief until 2000.
"As a town, we're certainly looking for closure," said Mayor
William F. Larkin, who succeeded Weldon. "We, from time to time,
will get someone at a council meeting asking us for what's
happening. We don't have any more knowledge than anyone else."
Weldon was one of the first public officials netted by U.S.
Attorney Christopher J. Christie in the political corruption probes
of Monmouth County.
Weldon and several former Asbury Park officials were charged with
taking kickbacks in exchange for votes on housing developments and
jobs in their towns. At the time of his arrest, Weldon was also
Asbury Park's city manager but he was never charged with wrongdoing
while occupying that office.
The largest bribe Weldon has admitted accepting was $50,000 to
help secure zoning approvals for the proposed Apple Farm development
off West Park Avenue and Green Grove Road. Developer Moshe "Michael"
G. Gohar was indicted Thursday on charges that include offering that
bribe.
The motive for the bribe was to ensure that Apple Farm's 80-acre
tract was rezoned for higher-density housing — from 30 to 75
single-family homes.
Weldon also admitted accepting a $9,000 bribe to ease site plan
amendments for a 328-unit Rolling Meadows development, and $5,000
for subdivision approval of six houses on Mark Place.
Larkin said the fact Weldon is cooperating comes as no surprise
to him, and has long been rumored.
Rumors have also persisted about the state of Weldon's health. In
the winter of 2002-2003, Weldon underwent a minor heart procedure
that resulted in four sentencing delays.
Residents said the matter remains a deep wound that has never
fully healed.
"The things he did, the deals he made, still haunt this town,"
said Joel Itskowitz, 44, of West Lake Avenue. "What's going to
happen because of this investigation? What else does he know which
is further damaging to this town?"
Fred Moser, 65, of Wildwood Road, who has lived in Ocean Township
for 50 years, quipped that if Weldon had gone to prison shortly
after he pleaded guilty, he might have served his time and been out
by now.
Before prosecutors secured Weldon's cooperation and sought a
harsher sentence, Weldon faced four to six years in federal prison.
"(Weldon's) human frailty is greed — something for nothing or
what he thinks is something for nothing," Moser said. "My mother
used to say, "If you're going to do something bad, do it for a
million bucks.' "
Weldon, on the other hand, "sold his soul for $64,000 — in
pieces," Moser said.
Erik Larsen: (732) 643-4029 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]. Gary Deckelnick:
(732) 643-4260 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] | 