Corzine gave $200,000 to arm of Newark church. St. James Development Corp. subject of criminal probe

[Ian David]

Corzine gave $200,000 to arm of Newark church
St. James Development Corp. was later the subject of a criminal probe

Friday, July 13, 2007
BY RICK HEPP
Star-Ledger Staff

Gov. Jon Corzine donated $200,000 to the development arm of St. James AME Church in Newark, which was later the subject of a criminal investigation, the governor's office confirmed yesterday.

The revelation was made last night in response to questions raised in the criminal trial of a former high-ranking state commerce commission official. Lesly Devereaux, who served as chief of staff to the Rev. William Watley, the church's pastor, when he was state commerce secretary, is on trial on state corruption charges.

Devereaux's defense attorney, Jack Furlong, contends Corzine's donation was intended to fund a job for her at the development agency. Furlong wanted the governor to testify about the donation, to counter the prosecution's assertion that Devereaux resigned from the commission in June 2004 to stall a criminal investigation.

Lilo Stainton, spokeswoman for Corzine, said while he was a U.S. senator Corzine wired $200,000 to the St. James Development Corp. on May 11, 2004, for community outreach. She denied Corzine knew it was for Devereaux, if indeed that was the case.

More:
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1184302604169740.xml&coll=1

[papau]

1. giving a church money for community outreach is now illegal if you are a Dem

n/t