I imagine that very few Hoboken politicos can write a check "due immediately" for $50,000. But that is what Defendant Frank Raia, a man of considerable wealth, can do- and was ordered to do so yesterday at his sentencing hearing.
True, a nibble at Raia's bank may not hurt, but 3 months in jail is no day at the beach for a 68 year-old with a heart condition. That said, Frank was spared the maximum statutory sentence of 5 years imprisonment; he got 5% of that.
Why so lenient?
Why so lenient?
Hudson County View's Corey McDonald reported that Judge William Martin's leniency was due to "140 letters" citing Raia's compassion and many acts of charity. McDonald wrote that Martini called the substance of the letters “very extraordinary.”
Indeed. Raia has been extraordinarily generous and has never advertised his acts of kindness. At the same time, he committed crimes- buying votes to fix Hoboken elections.
GA heard that Raia had rebuffed the government's efforts to plea out, forcing the state's time and expense of going to trial. That may be why the judge did not spare Frank imprisonment- who knows? But, if Frank was spared getting 'the book' thrown at him because of his unusual biography, can future Defendants expect the same?
The prosecution of Hoboken candidates allegedly engaged in similar Hoboken election 'activities' is rumored. Sealed indictments are rumored. It is rumored that a few have obtained lawyers. Informations for William Rojas and Matt Calicchio have dangled unnamed co-conspirators 'Candidate 1' and 'Candidate 2' for Hoboken's 2015 election cycle.
Will there be more to come, or are the Feds just messing with us?
It's my personal belief that Frank's will likely be the last trial, that any future Hoboken VBM Defendants will make deals. In the meantime, Frank Raia has been given until March 1, 2020 to surrender himself voluntarily. He also has the right of appeal.
Frank Raia is such a mixed bag. He's affable, has a heart; but you know what they say: do the crime, do the time.
But were those really "acts of kindness" or just buying favors/influence? Shouldn't that question be obvious in a situation like this? Seems pretty clear to me that it'd be logical for someone in his situation to be buying influence through "acts of kindness" and it shouldn't be used to reduce his punishment for behavior that is arguably as un-American as anything a citizen can do.
ReplyDeleteListen, I haven't rendered an opinion on the leniency of the sentence- that was the Judge's call.
DeleteThe truth is that Frank (and his wife) have been quietly charitable- to children-over the years, without seeking credit or publicity. I heard one instance where he bought a load of winter coats for Hoboken kids from poor families. The kind of things that his friends/ family know about.
To your point, should that have made a difference in a sentence for election fixing? Maybe not.