New Jersey Nightly News; 02/21/1980

A Legislative Ethics panel will hire a lawyer to probe Abscam allegations. Rutgers over Seton Hall the Scott Frank thunder and lots more tonight in sports. And we'll take a closer look at the parole reform bill the governor signed today. New Jersey not just with Karen Stone and Bill Perry with scorn. Good evening I'm Steve Taylor Karen Stone has the night off. The legislature's joint ethical standards committee today decided to hire a lawyer to investigate Abscam allegations. Committee members tangled over just how broad the investigation should be. Mariama also has the story. The committee members seem to agree there was a need to hire a lawyer who was independent of both the legislature and state politics. I have already seen mention in the press I receive letters from constituents that already assert that our purpose is a pat on the back and a

whitewash. And of the strongest opinion that we have to take action that needs such great independence of our legislative relationships that the public knows it's not a whitewash but just how much legislative behavior should he investigate members agree to legislators on to be investigated. Senator Angelo Eric Cathy of Camden who reportedly accepted $75000 in Abscam bribes to influence casino development and another South Jersey senator Joseph from a wrestler who's admitted to taking $10000 from a fake Arab says legal fees but should the lawyer investigate all interactions between legislators and the Casino Control Commission. It raises the broader question of did this commission understand its always have to be there whenever a legislator or any senator call up and say I have some friends I'd like to meet with. Was this a regular thing. But some were afraid it would turn into a witch hunt.

And one of the legislators are going to be investigated by this committee because their influence peddling. I don't know whether that's part of what we're talking about today we're going to we're going to direct ourselves directly to the two the two gentlemen whose name we mentioned the mention of banker so I favor that. But I want to make sure that's the direction we're going over the line. Assemblyman Debra tried to table hiring the lawyer until the committee got more information from the federal Justice Department. But there was a general feeling that this couldn't be delayed. I don't think we should be waiting in the end committee members agreed unanimously to hire a lawyer and to let him investigate all interactions between legislators and the casino commission. Two problems remain. First to get the legislature to come up with the money to pay him off. And second to find a lawyer of experience that's true and unimpeachable integrity who's never had a hand in New Jersey politics in Trenton. I Mariama Rosso. Later in the day the Senate passed a Legislative Ethics Code. The legislature adopts a new ethics code at the start of each session and this one has some

casino related provisions sponsor Charles Yates explains the code that I think we're going to be adopting this afternoon will prohibit a legislator or attorney from representing a casino license applicant before the commission in any way. It will require legislators to disclose any equity interest they have been casino operations even if it is as little as 100 shares of Resorts International require legislators to disclose. It could be increased to less than 10 percent and the service companies that may have located in the Atlantic City area. On the floor of the bill was amended to require disclosure by any legislator who lends money to a casino or borrows money from one. The code must now be approved by the Assembly. An organization of police supervisors in Camden wants Mayor Angelo Eric Kenny to resign because of Abscam FBI sources say Eric Kenny allegedly asked undercover agents for $100000 to help them get a casino in Atlantic City. The cops say that's enough for Eric Eddy to resign but they also say he has mismanaged the Camden Police

Department. Another Abscam figure attorney Alex Feinberg has been granted a leave of absence from the Delaware River Port Authority. According to the Abscam reports Feinberg was a middleman for U.S. senator Harrison Williams in his alleged dealings with the undercover agents. A bill which completely overhaul the existing parole laws in the state was signed today by Governor Byrne The governor says current parole laws are too complicated and unfair to inmates. Raj Wells has more. It took four years to put this bill together in an attempt to head off tensions in the state's prisons. Legislators visited various New Jersey penitentiaries and talked to inmates and listened to their complaints. One of the biggest complaints of the prisoners expressed was about the parole system. They objected to never knowing when they would be getting out of taking a piece of what the bill the governor signed this morning changes all that. But I think today is a very significant legislation is very significant. The people who are here who will put it together the people who are here or in

charge of making it work deserve our appreciation extended to them. Name engineer and so I think we've taken a significant step. Under the new bill prisoners will know right away when they'll be paroled. The bill will have inmates entering into parole contracts with the prison. Parole date is firm assuming the prisoner honors his part of the contract by following jailhouse rules and satisfactorily completing prison rehabilitation programs. The other feature of the bill will require the parole board to prove that a prisoner is unfit for parole. Currently inmates have to go before the parole board and prove that they are ready to rejoin society. The new law will take effect in 60 days and prison officials say it should be fully operational in six months. In Trenton. Well. Recently Karen Stone spoke with Assemblyman Martin Herman co-sponsor of the parole reform bill. And David Mintz director of the citizen action division of the New Jersey Association of

Corrections. They took a closer look at what the bill means for the state's prisons. Something about Herman. What problems do you see this bill. Solving. I believe this bill will solve the problems of lack of consistency fair play and process fair process that we now have. In the system. After the Attica and wrong way riots of some years ago and many reports came out and said one of the primary problems in the prisons which affect both the guards the public and the inmates themselves was the question of consistency. Consistency in knowing that when he would be eligible for parole that he would go into the hearing that the hearing would be stacked that there would be a fair standard of proof. This fair play will take place in that under the recent U.S. Supreme Court and other court guidelines were required now to institute some fair process that a prisoner has to be given fair notice that he or she has problems or doesn't have problems. But they have a presumptive right to parole.

It's a balancing if you will of the inmates right to be considered for release and the public's right to keep incarcerated those inmates who are a threat to the public safety. We do this through a consistent. Fair play process and that is we say when you have a hearing the parole board has to show proof. Why you should not be let out that shouldn't be able to pick out a reason out of the sky with a hook somewhere and say. And by the way we were gone last year we think you did something wrong. Air go. You're finished. Due process in that it has to be a fair hearing and there's a very important role. And that is the role of that the judge and prosecutor will play as a public ombudsman. But it won't be a secret process to deny the the court. The courts will in the sentencing process because prior to the parole hearing notice must be given to the sentencing court and to the prosecutor's office and they will have input

into the hearing process as to whether they think that person or want to be paroled or not. Therefore the public will be protected and open process. OK Mr. Mims do you see any problems that this plan might create or leave unresolved. Yes I agree with Marty that the bill as it now exists is a great improvement over the prison system if it's applied consistently. And if it's applied Well I think under the past parole system the parole board used to play God guessing whether someone would commit a crime or not commit a crime when he or she would be released. And we have millions of studies which show that you can't predict that kind of thing. So what this bill does basically is try to be more consistent and more clear. About when a prisoner will get released now there are some problems that I'm concerned about. First of all we have an expanded state parole board. And we have a series of appointees to the parole board which are coming up. One of the concerns I have at these appointees I made with merit in mind usually they are political people in point and I think it's very important that the people who are on the parole board are aware of the problems in the prisons where the

problems of the prisoners and aware of the environment that the prisoners have come from and where they're going to that's a major problem that we foresee because the pro-bowl can be very important. Also the prisons now are 70 percent black and Hispanic. I think there's nothing in the bill it this point that speaks to that issue but I think the parole board should reflect that kind of constituency in the prisons. Secondly there are a couple of other problems that I am concerned with. First. Though we it is much clearer for the prisoner in terms of when he can be kept in. In other words we have to be told why he is not being released. The language in the bill speaks of a substantial likelihood that he will commit a crime. In other words the parole board has to show a preponderance of the evidence that there is some likelihood that a crime will be committed under the this will be interpreted in many ways. I'm concerned that this is interpreted clearly and consistently throughout the bill because substantial likelihood is not the sharpest terminology it is the all right. There is also a question of shifting of the eligibility of parole prisoners who commit major infractions in the institutions

can have their parole eligibility moved back. In other words they will be released at first eligibility. I'm also concerned that it is clear what these infractions are that they are in fact serious and that they can't be used in an arbitrary manner against the prisoners these are some of the major concerns that that came out during the course of the hearings and I think that they don't necessarily have to be problems I don't think they will be. If it's done correctly in the bill is monitored something that Herman respond. Or simply that's what the legislative process is all about. I don't think any of us. Very few of us think that we're going to pass a perfect bill if this bill is the result of many many months of study. We went to the prisons we talked to the prisoners individually the prison guards the superintendents we held public hearings. And there was maybe 70 amendments to this bill before it came out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Reflecting all those concerns and trying to answer all the questions that were raised in order to raise. And develop a fair balance and an approach that would be

consistent with the process. I think experience is going to dictate what changes have to be made. I would hope that those changes would be made through the legislative process. Hopefully that's what we're all about. The parole reform bill was not the only one governor Byrne signed today. He also approved legislation which will create a commission to study the effects of the chemical agent orange. Many Vietnam War veterans claim they became deathly ill after coming in contact with the chemical which was used as a defoliant in Southeast Asia. State Insurance Commissioner James Sheeran said today that he will not be a lawyer for an organization of Atlantic City hotel casinos. Sharon's announcement came on the same day the Byrne administration introduced legislation to regulate public officials who take as you know jobs under the governor's bill cabinet members legislators and state officials would have to wait two years after leaving office before they could work for any casino. Sharon was offered his because you know job last month and indicated that he would take it. Today the commissioner said he changed his mind because he knew his acceptance would run counter to Governor Burns proposal. And now here's the weather forecast for the state the

spring like weather of this afternoon will and tonight will have mostly cloudy skies and more seasonal temperatures lows will be in the mid 30s. Tomorrow we can expect cloudy skies with a good chance of rain. Temperatures will be in the upper 30s and the outlook for Saturday mostly cloudy and continued cold. New Jersey drivers reduced their gasoline consumption by 4.5 percent last year.

Most of the conservation came during the second half of the year when gas usage dropped 8.5 percent below 1978 according to state energy commissioner Joel Jacobson. Of course the gas shortages led to state imposed conservation measures in June of last year. One of those measures minimum purchases is still in effect. Jacobson also said the price of gasoline rose 60 percent in 1979. The New York City Council refused to act on Mayor Kenneth Gibson's request for nearly a quarter of a million dollars in raises for top aides last night. In a unanimous vote the 46 raises were tabled indefinitely. Sandra King has more. When Ken Gibson demanded resignations from his entire top staff this week some observers said it was just a device to ensure passage of the raises. But if that was the plan it backfired. Even supporters of the pay hikes maintained that until Gibson decides which resignations to accept any raises are out of line.

You continue to write without knowing when to be in that position as the raises in which somebody needed them. I think the Gibson package would boost executive salaries some by as much as 100 percent. And those numbers also drew fire. With hiring and decrying shrinking services and a projected tax rate of nearly $10 per hundred and often divided city council stood firm against the Gibson raises also on the agenda was an ordinance that would raise the expense allowance for council members from $5000 annually to a thousand for the sake of consistency for public relations. That too was tabled at the City Council chamber in Newark.

Mayor Gibson meanwhile has begun collecting those mass resignations but the city's top Hispanic official says he won't wait for the mayor to rule on his fate. Deputy Mayor Rahm has resigned in earnest and he told Sondra King his move is a protest of a decade of official foot dragging despite the pressing needs of the city's Hispanics you know we are the one that's suffering the most here in D.C. if you're from the one lady main theme is that he put the request to one of the other Hispanics and that's housing unemployment. I've been working here with the administration for Band years and in the past things years I have been frustrated you know we have been we have but I'm going to say a few things but most of the things that I thought will not accomplish. And he says he's given up on New York he plans to move to Florida and open a small business. Still another Gibson aid chief of staff Daniel blue will also be leaving City Hall but he won't be going far. The Newark Housing Authority a semi-autonomous city agency today named Blue as its assistant executive director the job pays more than forty two thousand

dollars. But the housing authority deferred action for the second time on legal bills for two former top staffers. Robert Nati the agency's past director and Nathan Cabot its onetime controller were acquitted last December on federal charges of bribery and extortion. They now want the authority to pick up their attorney's fees totaling nearly $100000. But officials say they're still waiting awaiting a ruling from the Federal Office of Housing and Urban Development. Bill Terry's talking about Scarlet Knights and Pirates tonight. And that adds up to sports bill.

Thank you Steve this is true. Rutgers beat Seton Hall last night 75 66 the Knights are now 12 and 13 reversal for the Pirates they are now 13 and 12 picking it up in the second half a three point play for the hall's Darell Devereaux and the pirates go up 54 53 9 0 5 left completing a rally which brought the whole thing 10 back. Kevin Troy hits put records back up 23 points for Troy Darrius Griffin right here makes it a three point lead. Griffin came off the bench and you'll see another long range jumper. Rutgers on their way we're in the midst of a 1:50 spurt. Now it is GRIFFIN The Playmaker the heat inside to Rudy man then watches rich rants and moves with out the ball Griffin gets it to him. Easy too. Again the feed comes up to man this bird did it. Rutgers wins 75 to 66. It's in the New Jersey State Athletic Conference playoffs last night opening round Jersey City State B Trenton State 76 61 William Patterson top Glassboro state 77 69 the two winners will meet tomorrow night for the conference title St. Peters one last night. The peacock's now 17 up and seven down had a real

easy time with Catholic winning 54 to 25. We take a look at one of the state's outstanding high school ball players. This is Walter Dinkie Proctor of Rutgers prep he's a 6 7 guard. Magic Johnson and only a junior and certain to be one of the most highly recruited players in the country next year. Yesterday Dink you got Rutgers prep to a 68 53 over Pennington and the St. prep school B division playoffs it was a semifinal game. Rutgers let me Princeton day Saturday for the state Brown scored 21 points hitting 10 of 17 from the field he had 14 rebounds and he does it all. Up so a college as a new football coach and a new athletic director John Hooper who doubled as coach and has resigned as a coach. John was at Upsala for 23 years one hundred and five wins Pat. A former assistant coach under who becomes the new head football coach at the lions the baseball coach at Upsala becomes a dick the Playboy Club at Great Gorge in Sussex County will be the site for an Ernie Shavers fight on March 8 Shavers hasn't fought since losing a title bid against Larry Holmes last fall

Shavers against Bernardo more Kaito coming up Tuesday night at Ice World New Jersey's heavyweight champion Scott Frank took out C.J. Barr Brown from New York in the second round this is it. Frank remains undefeated at 12 and it was announced right after the fight that Frank would next meet Bob's songs that I scrawled on April 1st this is Stallings Tuesday night taking out Jerry MacIntyre at the 30 second mark of round number one songs is 39 years old and not exactly a contender. Now we keep hearing that Scott Frank is ready for the big time but when Scott when will it happen. I mean you know I mean I'm young I want you you getting no biting guys who really aren't of the great caliber The only thing I do is keep knocking them out look impressive and they're going to have to fight me to going to just have to fight me and that's when a known Barash mean a fight. Is Scott Frank for real when he fights a contender. We'll know two big baseball No it's Billy Martin is back. Billy is the new manager of the Oakland A's also Frank Cashen will run the Mets baseball operations as general manager On

Thursdays we offer the weekend ski outlook you've noticed right that it's been warm and it's supposed to rain tomorrow all ski areas will be open with manmade snow of course we suggest that you check with the ski centers before making your weekend plans and that's the sports they like very much I will drop my Penn State back in the news New Jerseyans were saddened in January by the blaze which destroyed the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn an historic structure which was home to the state's only Broadway style entertainment arts commentator Michael Redmond has an update on the theater's struggle for survival. Having failed in its search for a temporary theater in which to produce it shows the Paper Mill Playhouse has had to cancel all the rest of this season's productions and the outlook for next season looks bleak too. But there's a glimmer of light on the horizon. Paper Mills board has vowed to rebuild the theater bigger and better than ever and there's no lack of support in the state's political business and cultural circles for this project. Rebuilding the theater won't be easy but it's not impossible. Paper Mills fire insurance is expected to provide up to one million dollars for the fund but it is

estimated that a new theatre would cost at least double that amount. In other words a bold and imaginative fund raising campaign will be necessary assisting the paper mills board in the planning is a coalition of prominent figures including metropolitan opera singer Jerome Hines who was instrumental in the successful effort to save New York's Symphony Hall. State Senate President Joseph P. Merlino an Essex County executive Peter Shapiro these political names suggest government involvement at some level in this rebuilding project. And that's not a bad idea when a few facts are considered. Recently the McCarter Theater in Princeton issued the preliminary results of a study into Carter's impact on the state's economy using accepted statistical procedures. The study indicates that MacArthur generates in excess of 10 million dollars a year in New Jersey's economy. Approximately five times more Carter's annual budget. In other words the list of the major theatre can be depressing in areas other than cultural. It can mean the loss of business revenue and of jobs and that should be of great concern to Trenton.

Michael Redmond. A federal judge in New York has ordered a new trial for George Merritt the man convicted three times in the 1967 murder of a Plainfield policeman. Judge Curtis meanor ordered Merritt released from Rahway state prison unless he gets a new trial within 60 days. The judge held that crucial crucial prosecution evidence was not given to defense attorneys before earlier trials. Merritt was one of 12 persons indicted after Officer John Gleason was beaten to death during a riot. Since his first conviction in 1068 Merritt has spent eight years in jail his first two convictions were thrown out on appeal. An employee of the U.S. Customs Service today admitted that he smuggled liquor from a warehouse on orders of his boss and Theodore Simmons a customs employee important work told a federal judge that he reported goods is missing and then gave them to other customs workers and importing firms. Simmons was the fifth customs official to plead guilty and agree to cooperate with a federal investigation of fraud bribery and smuggling at New York area customs facilities. When Simmons is sentenced after the probe is completed he could get five years in

jail and $10000 in fines. 9 of New Jersey's largest dairies today admitted that they rigged bids on milk supplies for schools and other public institutions. Those dairies agreed to pay 2.5 million dollars in fines and damages over the next several years. The companies pleaded guilty to state charges that they conspired to keep milk prices high between one hundred seventy four and hundred seventy eight. Under a plea bargain the state agreed not to pursue criminal antitrust charges against the dairies and also to let the firms keep doing business in New Jersey. The state liquor chief from New Jersey New York and Pennsylvania held us special meeting this morning to tackle the problem of different drinking age laws in the three states to drink alcoholic beverages you must be 19 here 21 in Pennsylvania but only 18 in New York. The three liquor czars had no statistics available to pinpoint how many Pennsylvania's come to New Jersey for a drink or how many New Jersey 18 year olds now go to New York. But Joseph Lerner New Jersey's alcoholic beverage director was prepared to demonstrate the

results of that drinking. Lerner reported that in the last three years. Six hundred sixty four 18 to 20 year olds have died on New Jersey highways and one third of them are under the influence of alcohol. Dealing with that tragedy Lerner said was the aim of the meeting today of the three commissioners a reduction through education a reduction in the number of alcohol related accidents which result in pay tolerated. And if we can save lives in that way I think that this meeting could become a very valuable meeting for them all through representatives of Congress or the Prez set up some kind of committee discuss the possibility of a national uniform drinking age law. There was no indication that the three states are anywhere near uniform drinking law. All three men agreed that this morning's meeting was just a beginning. Once again our top stories a Legislative Ethics panel will name an attorney to probe Abscam

charges. The governor signs a bill overhauling the state parole system and another one to name a commission to look into Agent Orange and insurance commissioner James Sheeran says he's turning down a casino related job on the same day that the governor's package of casino reforms is introduced in the legislature. That's the news for Bill Perry. I'm Steve Taylor. Good night for the New Jersey nightly news. The nightly news is a joint presentation of New Jersey public television program is broadcast weeknights at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 13 and at 7:30 p.m. on New Jersey Public Television. There's a repeat broadcast at 10:00 p.m. on public television. And at 7:00 the final Channel 13 questions pre recorded.