N.J.: 2 Indicted Lawmakers Resign

Forbes reports:

Two Democratic state assemblymen arrested last week on federal corruption charges have resigned, leaving others wondering why party leaders haven't demanded resignations from two senators indicted on corruption charges earlier this year.

Assemblymen Mims Hackett Jr., of Orange, and Alfred Steele, of Paterson, sent resignation letters Monday to the Assembly clerk, leaving their Assembly seats four days after being charged with alleged bribe-taking.

As Hackett and Steele vacated their seats - even as their lawyers said they expected to plead not guilty - Republicans demanded quick action on ethics reform and argued Democrats were inconsistent in their resignation demands.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine and other top Democrats on Friday called on Hackett, charged with taking $5,000, and Steele, charged with taking $14,000, to resign.

The arrests come with all 120 legislative seats up for election in the fall. Democrats control the Assembly 50-30 and the Senate 22-18, but four Democratic legislators have been hit this year with federal corruption charges.

Sens. Wayne Bryant of Lawnside and Sharpe James of Newark were indicted earlier this year. Both have pleaded not guilty.

While Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, the state Democratic chairman, asked Bryant and James to resign, other top Democrats who demanded Hackett and Steele resign - Corzine, Senate President Richard J. Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. - never asked Bryant and James to do so.

Some of the sleaziest people get into politics.