New Jersey Governor Lures Breakaway Democrats With Tax-Hike Compromises

Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey, speaks during a budget press conference in Newark, New Jersey on June 27, 2018. Governor Phil Murphy dangled his compromise budget before supporters in Newark, scoring endorsements from the mayor of New Jersey's largest city and swelling the ranks of Democratic lawmakers breaking from their colleagues' spending plan.

Hedge fund manager convicted

The owner and manager of a New Jersey hedge fund was convicted by a federal jury for defrauding two investors of $4 million. Nicholas Lattanzio, 61, of Montclair, was convicted on all counts of an indictment charging him with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of securities fraud following a three-week trial before the Honorable Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court.

Corruption case against Sen. Bob Menendez damaged but not dead, experts say

A judge's decision to acquit U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and his co-defendant on seven of the 18 charges they faced was a major setback for the government's corruption case, but not a fatal blow , according to several legal experts. "It sends a clear signal that there were problems with the government's case and there continue to be problems with the government's case," said Adam Lurie, a former federal prosecutor who now heads the government investigations practice at the Linklaters law firm in Washington, D.C. "That said, the case survived."

Democratic powerbroker ends legal fight over improper campaign spending

For four years, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo waged a court battle against charges he failed to disclose thousands in campaign spending and misused thousands more on trips to Puerto Rico, tickets to sporting events, a gym membership and other expenses. On Wednesday, the powerful Democratic unexpectedly ended his fight with an agreement to settle the long-standing state enforcement action by paying $20,446 in penalties to resolve the case first brought by New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission in 2013.

Menendez avoids ‘political grave,’ but cloud still looms

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez fights tears as he speaks to reporters outside Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Courthouse after U.S. District Judge William Walls declared a mistrial in Menendez's federal corruption trial, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Newark, N.J. less U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez fights tears as he speaks to reporters outside Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Courthouse after U.S. District Judge William Walls declared a mistrial in Menendez's federal corruption ... more Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez becomes emotional as he speaks to reporters in front of the courthouse in Newark, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017.

Menendez jurors near deliberations in bribery trial

In this Aug. 17, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during a news conference, in Union Beach, N.J. A jury could begin deliberations Monday, Nov. 6, in the bribery trial of Menendez and a wealthy friend. less FILE - In this Aug. 17, 2017 file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during a news conference, in Union Beach, N.J. A jury could begin deliberations Monday, Nov. 6, in the bribery trial of Menendez and a ... more NEWARK, N.J. - A jury that has listened to nine weeks of testimony and evidence is expected to begin deliberations Monday in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend.

The Latest: Virginia’s Democratic governor slams Trump

The Latest on former President Barack Obama campaigning for Democrats running for governor in New Jersey and Virginia : Virginia's Democratic governor says the Republican candidate for the state's highest office is treating President Donald Trump like he has a "communicable disease." Gov. Terry McAuliffe's comments mocking Ed Gillespie's reluctance to campaign with Trump came as former President Barack Obama visited the state in support of Virginia Democrats ahead of next month's elections.