(East Rutherford, New Jersey) Why Governor Murphy and the East Rutherford Democratic Council are giving taxpayers millions of dollars in property belonging to an indicted businessman currently connected to the federal indictment of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez asked Sergio Segarini. Republican mayoral candidate for the ward.
The state’s fiscal year 2024 budget includes an old industrial property along Lois Lane (formerly Morton Terrace) owned by Fred Dives, who is accused of paying off Sen. Menendez by the city of East Rutherford. A $3 million item is said to be buried for the purchase. The indictment was handed down on Friday, September 22nd by the New Jersey United States Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Duives was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday, along with Mr. Menendez’s wife and another businessman. Mr. Duybes has pleaded not guilty to the bribery charge.
Duybes, the founder of Mariners Bank in Bergen County, was indicted in October 2018 on charges of conspiracy to evade lending limits set by banks. He eventually pleaded guilty to several charges, but his sentencing was postponed three times. He was recently featured in a scathing state commission report on corruption in Edgewater, New Jersey.
“Why in the name of God would state and local politicians like our current mayor, Jeff Lauillier, our borough council members, and the state Democratic Party, want to use our tax dollars to dispose of Fred Dives? Are you helping unload contaminated property that has been contaminated for years?” Segarini said. “Why would they do business with this guy?”
“Everyone in the county and state knows that Dybes is a bad actor who has broken the law multiple times. $3 million in tax payments to the state budget to give Dybes money he has been coveting for years. Whose idea was it to secretly incorporate funds from other people?” asked Segarini.
“It’s an abuse of tax dollars to deal with a man who was indicted for the second time by the federal government. Someone has to answer for this,” Segarini said.
“The Democrats who control East Rutherford and state government need to come forward and explain their relationship with Dybes and why he is the beneficiary of taxpayer money,” Segarini said.
The Dives have owned the East Rutherford property on Morton Street (now Lois Lane) for decades. It was previously owned by a chemical company. Dives tried to sell the site to the former East Rutherford Republican administration;
Republicans insisted that properties be inspected for contamination before being purchased. Duybes balked at inspecting the property, and the district refused to purchase the property.
Mr. Duybes has been a prolific campaign donor in the past, giving large amounts to Democrats, including the Bergen County Democratic Organization, and much smaller contributions to Republicans.
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