US Attorney Paul Fishman Message To Public Service Employees

The Jersey Journal:

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman sees a message in today's verdict against suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini.

"Public service," he said, "is about something else than enriching yourself and your friends."
He declined to speculate on the jury's thinking in finding Beldini guilty on two counts and not guilty on four but called the verdict a "victory."

Asked about the credibility of key witness Solomon Dwek, and whether it was because of Dwek's criminal past that the jury returned a split verdict, Fishman was undeterred.

"I don't think that you can say they rejected him," he said. "Each of the crimes she was charged with had different elements."

When it comes time for Dwek -- who admitted bilking his family, friends, Jewish community and banks out of millions of dollars -- to be sentenced, it will be up to a judge to decide the appropriate punishment, Fishman said.

Fishman declined to discuss why former Jersey City housing official/school board member Edward Cheatam, who has pleaded guilty in the case, wasn't called to testify as was widely expected.

"At the heart of the case, Ms. Belidini was charged with accepting bribes in exchange for official action," he said. "The jury saw it that way."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calcagni, who tried the case along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Moser, agreed.

"I think the jury fairly and carefully considered the evidence and we are gratified with the verdict," he said at the news conference with Fishman.

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