As first reported here late Wednesday night, New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey is now facing the prospect of impeachment due to the growing scandal of political use of Homeland Security funds.
On Thursday, New Jersey Assemblyman Sean Kean began the impeachment process. The full details of this development are printed below from Assemblyman Kean’s press release.
For Release:
August 18, 2005
KEAN CALLS FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
PETER HARVEY TO BE IMPEACHED
SAYS HARVEY IS NOT FIT TO CONTINUE IN HIS JOB
Assemblyman Sean Kean, in light of the current controversy surrounding the distribution of state homeland security grants, has directed the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) to prepare articles of impeachment against Attorney General Peter Harvey.
“I believe the time has come for Peter Harvey to be removed from his position as Attorney General,” said Kean, R-Monmouth. “The Attorney General has allowed political concerns to influence the distribution essential security funds and should be removed because of misconduct.”
Kean said the charges of impeachment are for malfeasance and the misappropriation of state funds allocated for the protection of New Jersey residents in a time of war.
“The Attorney General, as the highest ranking law enforcement official in the state, had the legal and ethical obligation to award these grant based solely on security needs, not politics,” added Kean. “Politics should have never been allowed to influence the grant distribution process.”
“Mr. Harvey played games with our security and is no longer fit to hold the office of Attorney General,” continued Kean. “His repeated ethical transgressions and illegal misuse of state funding is inexcusable. He must be held accountable for this gaffe.”
Kean also said Acting Governor Codey should take steps to rectify this glaring error.
“As a matter of integrity, Acting Governor Codey should take immediate action to ensure that never again will the grant process be tainted by the ugliness of politics,” Kean said. “I also believe that towns who were overlooked because of political considerations should be allowed to resubmit their applications. Perhaps this time, they will give every legitimate application equal consideration.”
The BadHairBlog is reporting on this as well with more details from the Newark Star-Ledger….. The Democrats’ 9/11 Slush Fund, continued
Stay tuned for more developments on this growing scandal….
UPDATE — Welcome Michelle Malkin, Instapundit & Polipundit readers!
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com