The Hoboken Journal: The sentence is.....

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The sentence is.....

The judge remarked that Peter Cammarano was a rising political star and that incidents like this are far far too commonplace in New Jersey. He acknowledged that he believes Peter Cammarano is sincere in his remorse but stated this is a serious offense of political corruption and that there needs to be protection of the public trust as well.

Cammarano has been sentenced to 24 months for his one count of corruption under color of official right and supervisory release for 2 years. Peter Cammarano will surrender on September 20th to serve his sentence.

Editorial Statement: This is a very tough day for a broken man. I can tell you that my mood is not one of elation on this. Hopefully Hoboken can move forward from this events but more importantly learn that shortcuts to success are never the right way to go. Even more important than that is to not taint the public trust and to campaign with a sense of ethics and regard for the citizens of Hoboken even if it means that a politician could lose a race. Perhaps I am too optimistic but that is still my hope.

With that said when the public trust was broken so blatantly like it was, there must be some punishment for such crimes. Bottom line is Peter Cammarano got the minimum sentence according Federal guidelines. Do you think this was enough time or should the sentence have been more or less? Share your thoughts below. ◦

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Guest · 763 weeks ago

24 months at a very low security facility that is. There is no hard time here. 24 months in the FEDS is known as the old "Club Fed" vacation plan. Many readers probably think Peter would do HARD TIME. Not a day of that sentence will he ever see a fence or a strand of barbed wire nor will we ever be housed in a cell. Based on crime and no previous convictions he will reside at either FCI Fort Dix or FCI Loretto. At both facilities, detainees sleep in rooms with other inmates (rooms where inmates have their own keys to get in and out). Each facility has vending machines for inmates. Both have tennis courts. The cafeteria has soda fountains. Both offer furrlough passes for inmate, both have off grounds work programs, and after about 7 months of that it is off to a half way house where whe will be in a work release program for 6 months and then he will go home with an ankle bracelet and finish his sentence. Being a politician sure has perks don't it folks?

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ss1959 · 763 weeks ago

I am not upset at the sentence. Personally jail was never my main concern. Losing his law license was my priority. You can't take bribes and be a lawyer in my book.

2 replies · active 762 weeks ago

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Hobbs · 762 weeks ago

NJ has not disbarred him and I would bet his "friends" in the Democratic Party machine will lobby to just suspend it until he gets out of prison, play the poor victim card and get him reinstated.

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Katie_Scarlett · 762 weeks ago

If NJ's bar is like other states' bars, after 1 year's suspension he'll have to appeal to be reinstated. The process for reinstatement is difficult, and hopefully he'll never achieve it.

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deleted8670214 100p · 763 weeks ago

I wish him well. I hope he finds a more ethical and morally right path in life. I would hope he is now permanently done with politics and so long as he keeps his nose out of politics I'll consider the matter closed and dealt with appropriately.

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Just Saying · 763 weeks ago

A lawyer would tell a client under these circumstances that one option would be to divest all his assets and even divorce to protect them from possible litigation. Once it all blows over you still got the assets.

It wouldn't be the first time someone sold the shore house to the kids for a buck each.

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davidd · 763 weeks ago

I tend to think jail doesn't help. We, the tax payers, are going to pay for Peter to be put in prison and jail didn't deter Peter after Russo went to jail. I'd have preferred some sort of large fine (dare I hope payed to Hoboken), disbarrment, garnished salary, and supervised work (two years sounds about right). The problem with Russo is that he was allowed to hide assets. I don't know enough about it, but the overlooked asset hiding might be more corruption, I know Russo had a number of 'gifts' in previous experiences with the law...

1 reply · active 762 weeks ago

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Mattaccino · 762 weeks ago

Bingo DavidD! The fine Russo was ordered to pay Hoboken but hasn't is a small thing compared to the hiding of assets by transferring titles of property purchased with his ill-gotten gains to family members. The Russo's can live out their white-trash weekend dreams in an expensive home at the shore while occupying more than one subsidized housing unit in hoboken and that Hoboken's legal counsel hasn't pursued this matter is very telling about the nature of things here and throughout NJ.

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doug · 763 weeks ago

schadenfreude

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Hobbs · 763 weeks ago

Former Anthony Russo was given a fine and he still has not paid it back.

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Der Hammer · 763 weeks ago

Es ist sehr Schade.

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Lookforward · 763 weeks ago

The past is gone and we must learn from the mistakes of others as well as our own.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Gardiner4Hoboken 90p · 763 weeks ago

Here here says the giant without his morning cup of coffee!

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@TaithBedwenAria · 763 weeks ago

I have seen that punishment does very little to change the world.

You have people that are honest and responsible. Then you have people that people that are dishonest. The dishonest ones will just get better at not getting caught and avoiding the consequences. Sometimes a dishonest person might have a epiphany and realize the effect their actions have on others and feel remorse and become responsible, then honest people.

I don't know if what he has lost is enough for an epiphany.

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Notsoloyal · 762 weeks ago

Anyone see those comments in the Reporter from local lunatic Margaret O'Brien???

O'Brien, Waiters and Callichio should all do a little time with a shrink. Lots of issues with those weirdos