The Republican said the toll on his wife and three daughters was too great for him to continue. Embattled Supreme Court Justice Peter G. Verniero has refused to step down even thoughseveral top officials, including DiFrancesco, called for his resignation. Efforts to impeach were blocked by the Republican majority in the state Assembly. Former Gov. Christie Whitman left New Jersey but embarrassment followed her to Washington. The Camden man, who was photographed when he was 16 being frisked by the gloved, grinning former governor, launched a federal civil rights lawsuit against her and the state police.
Scandals mar local New Jersey politics too.
In the past year, the mayor of Camden was convicted of taking mob bribes and laundering drug money, and the Bergen County sheriff admitted to forcing subordinates to raise money for his campaign in exchange for promotions and transfers within the department. Paterson's mayor is the focus of a corruption investigation, Passaic County's Republican boss is on trial for orchestrating a bribery scheme, and the former county administrator has pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks. West New York's police chief admits to helping protect a prostitution and gambling ring. Still, some experts insist New Jersey isn't worse than other states. Places like Illinois and Louisiana have also been dogged by corruption, said Peter Eisner, managing director of the Center for Public Integrity.