Scandal Plagues Albano

Trenton: In what has become known as “Troopergate,” Democratic Assemblyman Nelson Albano finds himself bogged down by a serious scandal. Albano’s problems began in 2012, when he was pulled over for speeding. Albano tried to talk his way out of the ticket, which even the governor said was no big deal. But what happened next has drawn the ire of newspaper editors throughout the state and triggered an ethics complaint against Albano.
Instead of simply paying the ticket, Albano decided to hurt the career of the young State Trooper who ticketed him. Albano sent a letter, on his official letterhead, to the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. In the letter Albano demands an investigation into the conduct of the trooper and accuses him of intentionally targeting Albano. Albano claims he was “humiliated, embarrassed and disrespected.” He says he was “blocked in” by two additional troop cars.
He says the trooper “neglected to give professional courtesy.” Fortunately for the young trooper, the entire traffic stop was captured on video, which shows the trooper was polite and professional. He does nothing to humiliate or embarrass Albano. Albano’s car is never “blocked in” by other troopers. The video reveals that Albano lied about the trooper’s conduct.
The video was obtained months later after legal action by the Star Ledger newspaper to force its release. The newspaper reported the video “showed an efficient, standard traffic stop; nothing like Albano’s theatrical account of being targeted, disrespected and treated like a ‘criminal.’” The probe of the trooper that Albano demanded found no wrongdoing on the trooper’s part, “just documented proof of Albano’s arrogant charade,” the Star Ledger said. Though he said he is sorry he was speeding, Albano has not apologized for filing the false complaint and threatening the trooper’s career.
“I don’t care what political party you belong to,” said Cape GOP Chairman Mike Donohue. “If this was a Republican, I’d be complaining just the same. There is a law against filing false reports and I’m not sure why Albano has not been subject to that law. The rest of us sure would be.” Donohue, whose immediate family includes five active or retired police officers, said he felt particularly sorry for the young State Trooper.
“Literally from the moment I was born I have been part of the law enforcement family,” he said. “I can only imagine how bad it would have been for this young trooper had the video not existed. It would have been his word against the word of a well-connected Trenton insider; one that was obviously willing to ruin this trooper’s career to get revenge for being embarrassed.”
When news of Albano’s false complaint surfaced, NJ.com reports that he demanded a probe of who leaked the information.
“This scandal has just snowballed,” Donohue said. “Who cares if he tried to talk his way out of a ticket, but to lie about the trooper? And when reporters found out about the lying letter, in classic fashion, he wants an investigation into who leaked the letter. Albano’s Troopergate ranks right up there with other political scandals.”
The Star Ledger chronicled the outcomes of similar scandals:
Zulima Farber: The former state Attorney General intervened in a 2006 stop of her boyfriend. The ticket wasn’t issued. The officers were suspended and Farber later resigned.
Dana Rone: In 2006, the Newark councilwoman drove her city car to a traffic stop involving her nephew and attempted to intervene. She was convicted of obstructing justice and forced from office.
George Korpita: In 2007, the municipal court judge in Morris County told the police officer: “I’m a judge. I’m okay.” He was convicted and removed from the bench.
“Ultimately,” Donohue said. “The voters of the First District will decide if this is the type of assemblyman they want representing them.”
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