County exec speaks about parks scandal
TRENTON >> Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, painting his administration as a beacon of morality that will stand up to public scrutiny, on Thursday requested an audit of a non-profit organization that has come into the crosshairs of authorities probing possible corruption by county employees.
Calling the county’s parks the “crown jewel” in his first public comments, Hughes stood by Park Commission employees and stressed no one has been charged following Tuesday’s raid of the historic Hunt House and Tennis Center. He said he could not elaborate on the “nature or status of the investigation.”
“I have read the news reports and comments and they have caused me great concern,” Hughes said. “There are several key items that need to be addressed. Mercer County Government upholds and adheres to the highest standards of transparency and ethics and I expect those standards to be met by each and every Mercer County employee and board member.”
After remaining silent for days, Hughes released the statement amid questions from county freeholders about the raid and after being excoriated by political opponents who charge the Park Commission has been a festering wound for corruption and fraud.
The carefully crafted statement was the first step county officials took in trying to manage the unfolding crisis, which could impact dozens of county employees.
Hughes also plans to meet Friday with leaders from the Mercer County Park Commission and its non-profit fundraising arm, the Friends of Mercer County Parks, which is the target of an investigation into public corruption, extortion and corruption of public resources.
The non-profit, formed in 2013, is connected to numerous influential and politically tied people, including Assemblywoman Liz Muoio. It listed assets of $176,835, according to its 2014 tax filings.
Authorities appear to be scrutinizing the Friends of Mercer County Parks’ spending, which allegedly include a lavish Jersey Shore party and a trip to Sin City.
Hughes said the Friends of Mercer County Parks’ finances were audited last year but he wants a second audit “to confirm the findings and provide recommendations.”
Neither he nor a county spokeswoman responded to phone calls requesting comment about who performed the audit and what prompted it. fired in 2001 following the resurfacing of a nude free-throw shooting contest that involved former players and team managers.
He has retained defense attorney Jack Furlong, who said the decision to execute search warrants on the county’s facilities was nothing more than “high theater.”
During the raid, authorities armed with a search warrant signed by Superior Court Judge Pedro Jimenez seized documents and at least five computers, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
Officials have said the search warrant is not public and have refused to provide it to The Trentonian.
The Trentonian has learned from a source that the county has also been hit with subpoenas requesting additional documents.
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