TRENTON – Senators John H. Adler and Ellen Karcher today said enactment of their bill, S-14, to impose mandatory prison terms of up to 10 years and loss of pensions and benefits for corrupt public officials will crack down on abuses of the public trust.
“Politicians take notice – the price of corruption just went up,” said Senator Adler, D-Camden.
“This new law will help match the penalty with the crime,” said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer.
Under the bill signed by Governor Corzine, both elected and non-elected public officials could face mandatory prison terms and fines of up to $200,000, along with loss of pensions and benefits if convicted for any of 19 job related offenses including criminal coercion, commercial bribery, perjury, money laundering, theft by extortion and official misconduct.
“Strong penalties are appropriate for public corruption because maintaining integrity is non-negotiable,” Senator Adler said.
“This law forever changes the culture of tolerating public corruption and makes those who tarnish their offices pay for their crimes,” said Senator Karcher.