Rodriguez calls Trenton residency claims ‘bulls**t,’ accuses colleagues of racism
TRENTON » Looking to dispel lingering questions about his residency, at-large councilman Santiago Rodriguez claimed that critics who are suggesting that he’s no longer living in the capital city are racist and no longer want him voting on key pieces of legislation as his term winds down.
He made the rambling remarks during civic comment at the Thursday council meeting, calling reputed adversary George Muschal a “coward” and challenging him to a debate despite the fact that neither legislator is running for re-election in the upcoming races.
Saying he was “disgusted” to read about the political attacks in stories in The Trentonian, Rodriguez said he believed that his Puerto Rican roots were cause for consternation among his white colleagues because they “can’t stand” that four minorities are sitting legislators.
It was Rodriguez latest attempt to push back at the alleged false narrative that he absconded to Florida. The at-large councilman is resigning his seat at the end of June, at which point legislators will appoint a successor for the remaining six months of Rodriguez’s term.
Muschal and East Ward councilman Joe Harrison said that Rodriguez sold his 420 Commonwealth Avenue home.
Rodriguez acknowledged moving out of that home while finalizing the sale of the property. Council attorney Edward Kologi had circulated an email in which Rodriguez said he relocated to a home on the 600 block of South Broad Street.
During a council meeting, Muschal blasted Rodriguez for sidestepping questions about his residency.
Muschal said Friday that he is still not satisfied that Rodriguez is living in Trenton after the door went unanswered several times in recent weeks when he visited the South Broad Street residence where Rodriguez claims to be holed up.
Property records obtained by The Trentonian showed that Rodriguez purchased a home and land in Ocala, Florida in November.
And he acknowledged vacationing in the Sunshine State the last few weeks while visiting his autistic grandson.
He said that he returned to Trenton and is living in a home belonging to the estate of a woman who died last year.
Rodriguez clarified that Wanda Lopez was his cousin, adding Muschal’s quest to show that he’s no longer residing in New Jersey put his family in the crosshairs.
“Don’t get my family involved in your bulls**t,” Rodriguez said.
Still unsatisfied with Rodriguez’s explanations, Harrison said that he hadn’t seen Rodriguez’s vehicle outside of the South Broad Street home while driving by the place several times to visit his girlfriend who lives in the area.
Rodriguez hasn’t answered The Trentonian’s phone calls in weeks. City officials said it would be problematic if Rodriguez is no longer living in Trenton as state law requires sitting elected officials to live in the municipalities they represent.
Trenton law director Wes Bridges confirmed that his office was investigating the residency claims against the at-large councilman, Muschal said he was waiting on proof that would show that Rodriguez was phoning into the meetings while living in Florida.
Trenton returned for a single in-person meeting before going back to virtual powwows because council president Kathy McBride said the city wasn’t yet able to conduct hybrid meetings that enabled more residents to participate.
Muschal alleged that the governing body leader knows Rodriguez is no longer a resident and was giving him cover by returning to virtual meetings because her political faction needs his vote to maintain a majority amid a bitter feud with Mayor Reed Gusciora.