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Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano resigns after arrest in sweeping corruption probe

By Larry Mcshane
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Another one bites the dust in New Jersey.

Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, once considered a rising Democratic Party star, resigned Friday after his arrest last week in a sweeping corruption probe.

The 32-year-old Cammarano served just 30 days as mayor before sending his letter of resignation to the city clerk, according to his attorney.

He was accused of taking a $25,000 bribe in return for his support for a potential high-rise building project in the city opposite lower Manhattan.

The ex-mayor took the oath of office on July 1 after a hotly-contested race.

Cammarano became the second New Jersey mayor forced out of office by the sprawling scandal.

Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell stepped down Tuesday after authorities charged him with taking a $10,000 payoff.

One of the 44 people named in the indictment was found dead in his Jersey City apartment Tuesday.

Authorities were investigating whether political consultant Jack Shaw, 61, committed suicide.

A preliminary autopsy was inconclusive.

The corruption sweep uncovered alleged bribe-taking, money laundering and even kidney-trafficking from Jersey to Brooklyn.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/07/31/2009-07-31_hoboken_mayor_peter_cammarano_resigns_after_arrest_in_sweeping_corruption_probe.html