Council shoots down payment OK’D by admitted criminal

TRENTON — A cooperating witness in Mayor Tony F. Mack’s federal corruption trial’s signature is not carrying much weight with city council.

For the second time in as many meetings, Trenton officials Thursday voted down payment for engineering services provided in 2012 by Lebanon, N.J.- based Frey Engineering related to the planning for construction of an indoor batting cage at Trenton Babe Ruth fields in Hamilton for $43,385 that was authorized by Charles Hall III.

Hall was the first to admit guilt in a plea agreement in February for his role of being a “buffer” to receive cash payments in an alleged bribery scheme for using the mayor’s influence over the development of a parking garage on cityowned land. The former city recreation employee also admitted guilt for his involvement distributing painkillers in an oxycodone ring.

Councilman Zachary Chester said the work is tied to the mayor’s trial.

In December, Mack was indicted along with his brother, Ralphiel Mack, and Mayor Mack’s close associate, Joseph A. “JoJo” Giorgianni, on charges of extortion, bribery, and mail and wire fraud.

Mack and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from the alleged scheme to accept $119,000 in bribes.

“I’m not voting to fund stuff that was done inappropriately,” Chester said, adding the issue of the services is they weren’t bid out properly. “When this information went to the (New Jersey Department of Community Affairs), the DCA wouldn’t render a recommendation on this resolution. If DCA is not going to make a recommendation regarding payment, then there’s something wrong with that.”

Chester said he would prefer the matter to be handled legally.

“Let the judge say we have to pay it,” Chester said.

That sentiment was echoed by Council President George Muschal.

“For the engineering company to say they didn’t know about this, it’s highly unbelievable,” Muschal said. “Nobody wants to get involved with this, so I’m sure not going to approve this.”

Thursday’s vote was 3-3 with Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson siding with Chester and Muschal to oppose the measure. Council members Kathy McBride, Alex Bethea and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson all voted to make the payment. Councilwoman Phyllis Holly-Ward was absent.

At the previous council meeting in September, the vote was also 3-3. The only member to switch her vote was Caldwell-Wilson, who previously supported the measure. McBride was absent from that meeting and Holly-Ward voted against it.