Valentin’s Status Reveals Christie’s Law Enforcement Strategy
By Art Gallagher
The Star Ledger’s Auditor reports that Governor Chris Christie will not reappoint Luis Valentin as Monmouth County Prosecutor, nor will Christie promote Valentin to Essex County Prosecutor. The Auditor says that Valentin is out in Monmouth because he doesn’t have political chits with Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno or Senator Joe Kyrillos. If Valentin was “Christie’s guy” he would not have left the U.S Attorney’s office to take the Monmouth job in 2005.
Monmouth County Democrats were not happy when then Governor Richard Cody appointed Valentin in July of 2005. Democratic Chairman Vic Scudiery even tried to impose upon Republican Senator Joe Palaia (now retired) to invoke senatorial courtesy to block the appointment in favor of an attorney from the local party faithful.
Similarly, Christie is not likely to appoint prosecutors from the ranks of the Republican party faithful. Rather, Chrisite will restructure the manner in which county prosecutors offices operate and then fill the positions with his own people. Veterans of Christie’s U.S. Attorneys Office will be heavily favored.
Valentin, whose term expired in July, will probably serve as a holdover until December or January. Christie’s first choice for the Monmouth job, a veteran of the U.S. Attorney’s office, is not a member of the NJ bar, according to sources close to the selection process. Current law requires prosecutors to be a member of the NJ bar and to have practiced in NJ courts for at least 5 years. The commission that Christie appointed to recommend changes to the operation of prosecutors offices is due to issue its report by December 15. The commission report will probably recommend changes to the statutory qualifications of prosecutors. Also, the results of the most recent NJ bar exam will be announced in December.
Christie’s successor in the U.S. Attorneys Office, Paul Fishman, announced that public corruption will not be a priority during his tenure. Fishman’s soft stance on corruption makes it all the more important that Christie put his stamp on NJ’s law enforcement apparatus as he works for reform of government on all levels throughout the state.
More from my site
The Monmouth Democratic Chairman’s Race
Government for the “servants” by the “servants”
Christie bridge scandal: Despite U.S. Attorney’s subpoenas, N.J. lawmakers press forward
Christie Nominates Three Monmouth County Attorneys To The Superior Court
Little mentioned as U.S. Senate candidate
Crime in Asbury Park, Part 2 ENFORCEMENT
Is Christie headed for a great fall?
Law Enforcement Agencies Can Buy Arms At Best Available Prices Under O’Scanlon Sponsored Law
NJ PBA Endorses Rep Chris Smith For Reelection
Guadagno Watch
Who wants this job? Come on, Art, you need to name some names here
Why name names? Christy has already decided none of them are getting it because he wants one of his boys to get it.
This thought he seems to have that only certain prosecutors that worked for him are competent for government jobs is getting tiresome. i mean is anybody really impressed with our democratic Attornry general Paula Dowd.
Ohh what the heck here are some rumored names that have been batted around.
Former Sheriff and Republican Chair Joe Oxely, Former first Assitant Prosecutor Alton Kenny, career Municipal Court Judge Richard Thompson.
Their I got bthe ball rolling.