I say, "Play the tapes" and HEAR, whose lying! The way this article
is written, indicts a defendant, rather than have ALL of the evidence
presented, first! Can Mr. Hamilton, get a "fair trial"? Who knows?
Unlike "some" people, loyal to thier friends, even if guilty and
walking the streets, like Weldon, I hope the "truth" is presented,
that Mr. Hamilton, be "exonerated" of all charges, if found innocent.
The operative word, being "if"! If he is, it should shut a lot of
mouths, around here!
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "dfsavgny" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Corruption trial begins for former Asbury Park city councilman
> Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/13/07
>
> BY CHARLES WEBSTER IV
> Story Chat Post Comment
>
> 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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