A Web Of Corruption

FBI officials bring suspects into the FBI's Barry Lee Bush Building Claremont Tower in Newark. (courtesy app.com)

Community Affairs Commissioner
Joseph Doria resigns amid corruption probe. Doria was not arrested but both his home and office were searched by federal agents.

The mayors of three New Jersey cities, two state legislators and several rabbis were among more than 40 people arrested Thursday in a sweeping corruption investigation that began as a probe into an international money laundering ring that trafficked in goods as diverse as human organs and fake designer handbags. (NOTE: some are also with AIPAC)

Among 44 people arrested Thursday were Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, state Assemblyman President L. Harvey Smith and state Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt. Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez, who is also an attorney, is charged with agreeing to accept an illegal $10,000 cash payment for his legal defense fund.

Gov. Jon Corzine reacted to the corruption probe Thursday
morning by saying, "any corruption is unacceptable -- anywhere,
anytime, by anybody. The scale of corruption we're seeing as this
unfolds is simply outrageous and cannot be tolerated."

Click here for pictures & a list of those arrested and the charges against them

Unidentified person escorted off the bus at the federal court in Newark. (Martin DiCaro)