[NJ] In a major setback for state prosecutors, the bribery and corruption case against Jason O’Donnell, a former Democratic politician who was running for mayor in Bayonne, was thrown out of court Thursday after a judge found the candidate had committed no crime.The judge dismissed the indictment because she said O’Donnell had no power to make any promises in return for a $10,000 cash payment he allegedly accepted from an informant during an undercover sting operation.
"Jason O’Donnell had nothing to offer him," said Superior Court Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez, noting that he was not a public official at the time. "I think you need more than mere words."
The Attorney General’s office said it plans to appeal.
"We strongly disagree with today’s decision, which, if upheld, effectively legalizes bribing candidates for public office," said Peter Aseltine, a front man for the office. "We do not think this is what the Legislature had in mind when drafting this law and we look forward to appealing this ruling once we receive the written opinion."
The state has 45 days to appeal.
O’Donnell was charged more than a year ago with four other political candidates and officials who were accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions and cash payoffs from a Morristown attorney seeking promises of lucrative tax and real estate work.