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| "Let the People Decide" poster circa Hoboken's 2012 Election |
So, what's happening with The United States of America vs Francis Raia, et. al?
Hudson County View is reporting that Hoboken developer Frank Raia's June 11 trial for alleged vote-by-mail fraud has been bumped to June 17th.
For folks who are interested, GA has assembled a few indisputable facts about the Raia case, with some likely trial evidence.
For folks who are interested, GA has assembled a few indisputable facts about the Raia case, with some likely trial evidence.
2013 GENERAL ELECTION
The charges against Raia pertain to Hoboken's November 5, 2013 General Election. On that ballot were choices for NJ Governor (Buono-D, Christie-R), LD-33 Senator (Stack-D, Sanford-R) and LD-33 Assembly (Mukherjji-D, Carmelo Garcia-D). The government's allegations of a vote-buying conspiracy relate to Raia's committee "Let the People Decide" which opposed a rent control referendum on the ballot: "Public Question No.1"
2013 PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 1
(Hoboken rent control referendum)
(Hoboken rent control referendum)
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| "Let the People Decide" lobbied for a "NO" vote on Public Question No. 1 |
On January 15, 2014 "Let the People Decide" filed an ELEC report with a Schedule D-1 attachment: a list of individuals and entities paid for "campaign work" in a total amount of $40,047.71. One may assume this filing is central to the government's case against Raia and likely to be introduced at trial.
2013 "LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE" ELEC: SCHEDULE D-1 PAID WORKERS
As you know Defendant Frank Raia is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a trial of his peers. However, it does appear that the government is coming to court with both barrels loaded. As GA told you, a May 22nd letter from U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito to presiding Judge William J. Martini read:
"...the Government seeks the introduction of documentary and testimonial evidence pertaining to defendant Francis Raia’s (“Raia”) involvement in voter bribery schemes in 2011 and 2012."
In other words, "BOOM."
Although alleged voter bribery schemes in years prior are beyond the 5 year statute of limitations and cannot be prosecuted, evidence from those years would bolster the government's case by showing a pattern of alleged criminal behavior. Moreover, one could read tea leaves on how much information the government has been gathering on as-of-yet unindicted Hoboken candidates.
Although alleged voter bribery schemes in years prior are beyond the 5 year statute of limitations and cannot be prosecuted, evidence from those years would bolster the government's case by showing a pattern of alleged criminal behavior. Moreover, one could read tea leaves on how much information the government has been gathering on as-of-yet unindicted Hoboken candidates.
2011 GENERAL ELECTION
The 2011 General Election was held on November 8. That ballot included choices for LD-33 State Senate (Stack-D, Beth Hamburger-R), LD-33 Assembly (Ruben Ramos-D, Sean Connors-D), County Executive (Tom DeGise-D, Stephen M. DeLuca-R) and Freeholder candidates (Anthony Romano-D, Kurt Gardiner-D). In the 2011 General Election, Raia's committee "Let the People Decide" opposed rent control ballot referendum: "Public Question No.2"
2011 PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 2
(Hoboken rent control referendum)
On November 26, 2012 "Let the People Decide" filed an ELEC with a Schedule D-1 attachment of individuals and entities paid for "campaign work" in a total amount of $24,150.
If the government is permitted to bring in 2011 and 2012 elections, the following ELEC report is likely to be introduced at trial.
2011 "LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE" ELEC: SCHEDULE D-1 PAID WORKERS
Read both 2013 and 2011 ELEC, then the tea leaves, people. It is fair to assume that the government has been building their case for a while (years).
So who do you think is cooperating? Who do you think (if anyone at all) may get indicted next?
THE TRIAL DELAY
Who knows why. Raia is under enormous pressure. An exit ramp to a very public airing of dirty laundry would be a plea deal. If Raia cooperates, the government may (or may not) grant him leniency on sentencing. GA would not blame him, Frank is no spring chicken (no offense).
Word has it that more folks than have been reported publicly have quietly struck plea deals, and will testify against Frank. This should make some Hoboken folks very nervous. The government will have to show its list of witnesses before trial, at which time we may speculate on who is cooperating. One individual who rumor has it will not turn on Frank is Dio Braxton. Out of loyalty. Word on the street is that Dio has chosen to take his lumps at sentencing instead. If Raia's trial does go forward, we'll find out for sure.
Evrn if Braxton is not cooperating he can and probably will be called to testify. Since he has already pleaded, he has no 5th amendment protection, and he will have to acknowledge and describe his participation in the crime.
ReplyDeleteThat will be pretty damaging for Pupie even if Dio says Pupie didn't direct him to do anything. Nobody will believe he did it on his own so unless he fingers someone else, his testimony will still be damning for Pupie since it will confirm the scheme.
Yep. Was gonna say that, but figure folks know that witnesses get subpoenaed- like it or not! It's said there's no honor amongst alleged thieves... IMO if Braxton gets hit hard on sentencing because he didn't rat out Frank, he'll get street-cred, whatever that's worth. My general impression is that the gov't wants to take down all of the folks it can- folks whom it alleges have been involved in illegal VBM bribery schemes- and are not done yet. Who knows!
DeleteBtw, my gut says this trial isn't happening. Why would Frank put himself (and his loved ones) through it? Better to take his lumps, or just rat out some rats. My two cents.
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