GARDEN STATE GRAFT: Feds Bust 11 NJ Officials

TRENTON — FBI agents swooped down on 11 New Jersey public officials this morning — including two state assemblymen — in a dragnet involving alleged bribery, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

“Eleven public officials from south and north New Jersey were arrested this morning as part of a corruption investigation,” said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, in an e-mail. He promised more details later Thursday.

The probe reportedly involved contracts awarded by the Pleasantville school board in Atlantic County, on the mainland just outside Atlantic City. Among the arrested were state Assemblymen Mims Hackett Jr. and Rev. Alfred Steele, aides in their legislative offices acknowledged. Also reportedly arrested was Samuel Rivera, the mayor of Passaic, and Keith Reid, the chief of staff to Newark City Council President Mildred Crump. [via USA TODAY]