NEWARK, N.J. – The mayors of two New Jersey cities and a state legislator were arrested Thursday in connection with a major corruption and international money-laundering conspiracy probe. Some of the suspects were also allegedly involved in an illegal human organ-selling ring. Among the approximately 30 people arrested were Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, who took office 23 days ago, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, state Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt and Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

An FBI spokesman told NBC affiliate WNBC that the investigation involved a “high-volume international money-laundering conspiracy.” WNBC reported that some of the suspects also were accused of accepting cash payments that were taken to help find organs for sick patients in need of transplants. It was unclear where the body parts might have come from or how many surgeries may have been done. Several rabbis in New York and New Jersey were also taken into custody, federal prosecutors said. Cars were backed up four deep with suspects outside the FBI’s Newark office.

FBI and IRS agents were making the roundups in what is being described as one of the biggest investigations of its kind in state history, according to WNBC. The probe is said to have been launched when money transfers drew the interests of federal investigators. The Newark-based Star-Ledger newspaper reported that federal investigators removed at least three boxes of evidence from a Jewish school. A synagogue in Deal, N.J., was also searched. Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who has fought corruption in New Jersey’ largest city, says it’s “an unbelievable morning so far.” A news conference is scheduled for noon at the U.S. attorney’s office in Newark.

In recent years, New Jersey has seen more than 130 corruption-related convictions of public officials. Earlier this month, prosecutors alleged that Assemblyman Joseph Vas, a former Perth Amboy mayor, engaged in a scheme with a political adviser to funnel money through people who were given funds to make contributions. Vas had previously been accused of using his political influence to further a real estate deal that netted him nearly $300,000.

Before he pled guilty, Ney was identified in the guilty pleas of Jack Abramoff, former Tom DeLay deputy chief of staff Tony Rudy, former DeLay press secretary Michael Scanlon and former Ney chief of staff Neil Volz for receiving lavish gifts in exchange for political favors.

On May 18, 2006, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into bribery allegations against Ney, and on August 7, 2006, Ney announced that he was withdrawing from the 2006 election race. On September 15, 2006, the Justice Department filed Ney’s guilty pleas to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to a charge of falsifying financial disclosure forms. Both charges are related to actions taken on behalf of Abramoff’s clients in exchange for bribes, as well as separate actions taken on behalf of a foreign businessman in exchange for over $50,000 in gambling sprees at foreign private casinos. Ney is the first member of Congress to admit to criminal charges in the Abramoff investigation, which has focused on the actions of several current and former Republican lawmakers who had been close to the former lobbyist. Ney resigned from the House of Representatives on November 3, 2006. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison. He was released on August 15, 2008 after serving 17 months.
Now? He is becoming a talkshow host…so – when all else fails in life, become a “talking head”.