Secret video camera captures assemblyman Van Pelt accepting an envelope of cash OCEAN COUNTY — The government's star witness in the federal corruption trial of former New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt is expected to face more cross-examination today. Solomon Dwek is scheduled to return to the witness stand for a third day to continue his cross-examination. Dwek, a government...
| Secret video camera captures assemblyman Van Pelt accepting an envelope of cash |
OCEAN COUNTY — The government's star witness in the federal corruption trial of former New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt is expected to face more cross-examination today.
Solomon Dwek is scheduled to return to the witness stand for a third day to continue his cross-examination. Dwek, a government witness in a massive federal corruption and money laundering sting, testified on Thursday he gave a $10,000 bribe to Van Pelt after dinner at Morton's Steakhouse in Atlantic City on Feb. 21, 2009, to smooth the way for permit approvals on a supposed development project in Ocean Township, Ocean County.
Van Pelt's attorneys have contended the ex-lawmaker was starting a new career as a development consultant and accepted the money as a fee for his services. They argued Van Pelt, 44, did not need to smooth the process because the land that interested Dwek was part of a 200-acre parcel given special designation from the state to streamline permitting.
Charged with bribery and extortion, Van Pelt served as mayor of Ocean Township from 1998 to 2005 and spent another three years as a committeman there. He was elected to the state Assembly in 2007 and resigned a week after he was arrested in July 2009.
Previous coverage:
• Full coverage of the New Jersey corruption probe
• Jury hears secret recordings of ex-assemblyman Van Pelt, Dwek in N.J. corruption trial
• Solomon Dwek returns to witness stand in Ocean County corruption trial
• FBI informant details an alleged bribe in corruption trial of former Ocean County assemblyman
• Corruption trial opens for former N.J. Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt
• Trial to begin for Ocean County official accused in massive N.J. corruption probe
Hidden camera video footage shows Van Pelt accepting an envelope of cash that a government witness said was a bribe, according to court testimony.