The Jersey City Independent "

In a brief letter to city clerk Robert Byrne, Mariano Vega abruptly announced Monday that he would resign from his At-Large position on the City Council, ending a long tenure of 13 years as part of Jersey City’s governing body (he has also held the positions of Ward E councilman and council president). But the reason for Vega’s sudden resignation became apparent before the ink on his letter was dry.

Share/Save – Vega Pleads Guilty: Former council president Mariano Vega* has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from a federal informant. He is due to be sentenced in January, and faces 30 to 37 months in prison. We’ll have more on Vega*’s resignation, the hole on the City Council and other related news later today. Meanwhile, [...]

We never assumed you were guilty, but we felt you couldn’t serve effectively with this cloud over your name — that’s why we, the Journal and a number of other politicians and citizens kept asking you to leave the City Council. But you refused. And today you pleaded guilty to taking $20,000 in cash from Solomon Dwek, and agreeing to take $10,000 more. “Disgraceful” doesn’t come close to describing your actions.

Share/Save- Vega (Finally) Steps Down: Nearly 14 months after he was arrested along with scores of others in the massive federal corruption probe, At-Large councilman Mariano Vega* has finally resigned. He leaves office just 11 business days after a deadline that would have forced a special election to fill his seat; instead, the City Council [...]

Share/Save- Gas Pipeline Hearing in Bayonne: Speakers yesterday told federal regulators they do not want a proposed natural gas pipeline that Spectra Energy wants to run through Bayonne’s Bergen Point, and later through Jersey City, on its way to Manhattan. Jersey City’s meeting is tomorrow. – Budget Cycle Change: The City Council is set to [...]

Share/SaveOn the morning of July 23, 2009, federal agents began knocking on doors all over Jersey City, arresting politicians and other public officials and taking them to the federal courthouse in Newark. The process of bringing the accused to trial has progressed slowly throughout the last year; a year that has brought resignation, death, court [...]

Share/Save- Recall Process Begins: A three-person committee says it has filed the papers to begin a recall effort against Mayor Healy, City Council President Peter Brennan, At-Large councilman Mariano Vega* and At-Large councilwoman Willie Flood. City Clerk Robert Byrne says he hasn’t seen the letter yet; he’s in charge of reviewing and approving it before [...]

Share/Save- 77 Hudson Denied Abatement Change (Again): The city’s Tax Enhancement Committee unanimously voted against developer K. Hovnanian’s request to sweeten its tax abatement deal with the city this week. It is the second time the request has been denied. The developer argues that it’s unfair the luxury condo building Crystal Point was given a [...]

Share/Save- A NJ Transit union leader says that Gov. Christie’s decision to cut state funding for the transit agency will lead to fare hikes of up to 30 percent, service cuts and potential worker furloughs. Transit leaders are set to discuss the ramifications of the cuts today. For more, check out today’s Guest Opinion piece [...]

Share/Save- At-Large councilman Mariano Vega* pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges yesterday, as did suspended building department employee John Guarini and political operative/Municipal Utilities Authority commissioner Joe Cardwell. Vega*’s trial is set for Feb. 24. Meanwhile, former city planning aide and Ward E City Council candidate Guy Catrillo is due to be the first [...]