COUNTY EXEC WANTS INVESTIGATION INTO HIMSELF

Essex County Executive Joe De Vincenzo wants an investigation into allegations against him.

The Star-Ledger writes:

The announcement came several days after a story in The Sunday Star-Ledger raised questions about whether the county was properly awarding federal money to applicants claiming to be needy. The story cited internal county documents as well as interviews with county officials and charity employees.

Connie Crawford, who runs the nonprofit charity called the East Orange Community Development Corp., said she was told by county officials to hand out funds even when she raised doubts about the applicants’ eligibility.

In one case an Irvington pastor closely allied with DiVincenzo received an $1,100 grant to pay for utilities despite his application originally listing an income of $144,999. It was later crossed out and changed to $72,499. The pastor said his wife filled out the application and he was unaware of the grant.

Read more HERE.