HPD Chief Ferrante breaks news on flyer investigation

Working together: HUDCO Prosecutor Esther Suarez and HPD Chief Ken Ferrante

The most extensive public briefing to-date on the HPD's flyer investigation was provided at the January 3rd Council meeting by Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante.  

In his 20-minute briefing, Ferrante revealed  "We have worked with FBI, we have worked with Secret Service, who actually did forensic analysis of flyers that were taken off cars...” 

HPD Chief Ferrante gave a much shorter briefing at the February 7th council meeting- 30 seconds- which came at the end of a long meeting.  It's no surprise that the press didn't pick it up. 

But Chief  broke some news. 

Ferrante told the council that the day after the last meeting, he had a long conversation with Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez (#8 on the HR's "2018 Power List".)   Suarez then hooked up HPD investigator Captain Charles Campbell with one of her assistant prosecutors. According to Ferrante, two more people have been interviewed and two people who refused interviews have "lawyered up." Suarez's office will "use the power of subpoena to  get more information on this."

So, glean from that morsel what you wish.

MY TWO CENTS

Procuring counsel is not an admission of guilt.  However, in my opinion, folks who have nothing to hide would not object to be interviewed nor "lawyer up."

Anyone who wants the police to find those responsible for creating an international incident should want to talk to the police.

In reality, this case is a ticking time bomb for whomever hatched the flyer operation.  That's what Hoboken's political universe wants to know.

Two campaigns blame the flyer for Bhalla's victory: DeFusco's and Giattino's.  (GA blames flawless execution of a professional  GOTV operation and a stellar effort by the candidate.)  

  

So, what may be a one-day story in the international press-- who masterminded the flyer-- will live on our Mile Square; a political anchor for any campaign associates or staff or candidates who had knowledge of the flyer hit. Consequently, an enormous amount is at stake to protect him/her/them from discovery.   

And so, the only protection against discovery of the flyer mastermind(s) or conspiracy, may be to protect persons who appear to have some knowledge and who refuse to be interviewed.  

QUESTIONS 

If that is true, then is it possible that the two persons refusing interviews are being helped in some way?   

Since there are two persons of interest, will the prosecutor turn the heat up on one to flip the other?

Will the prosecutor subpoena a grand jury?

Chief Ferrante has stated previously, the crime is  "Bias Harrassment"- a 4th degree charge; a very large stain on the reputation(s) of those who hatched this rotten egg.

GA's gut says that The Unexpected waits behind the curtain.

Stay tuned, people.