Corruption trial begins for former Asbury Park city councilman
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/13/07
BY CHARLES WEBSTER IV
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NEWARK "John Hamilton sold his office for $2,000 and a driveway,''
said Thomas J. Eicher, deputy chief of the special prosecution
division for the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey.
The corruption trial for former Asbury Park City Councilman John J.
Hamilton Jr. began today with those words to a federal jury in opening
statements.
Hamilton's attorney, Michael Baldassare, countered that the U.S.
Attorney's case was hanging solely on the testimony of FBI informant
Robert "Duke'' Steffer. In his opening statement, Baldassare called
his credibility into question, telling the jury, "Steffer lies.''
"Why does he lie?'' Baldassare asked. "That's what Bobby Steffer does.''
Hamilton has been charged with offering public, no-bid contracts to a
demolition contractor in return for having his driveway paved.
The contractor - Steffer - was working for the FBI, and his
conversations with Hamilton were recorded.
Hamilton has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The relationship between Steffer and Hamilton began in May 2001.
That's when Vinny Baker, the owner of Jennie's Soul Food restaurant in
Asbury Park, introduced Steffer to Hamilton, according to the FBI.
Baker has been charged with conspiracy to extort and pleaded guilty to
the charges.
Hamilton told Steffer that he could find him no-bid demolition work in
Asbury Park if in return the "contractor" agreed to pave Hamilton's
driveway free of charge, according to a federal indictment.
Steffer paved Hamilton's driveway, according to the indictment.
Actually, the FBI hired a contractor, through Steffer, to do the work.
When it was done, Hamilton asked Steffer for a receipt to "make sure
that we both are protected," according to a criminal complaint.
An FBI agent prepared a computerized receipt for $1,000, which Steffer
later gave to Hamilton.
Hamilton took the receipt and promised Steffer that he'd "get you some
work," according to the criminal complaint.
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