Gov of NJ announces resignation, homosexuality - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Kadath · 08-12-2004, 12:44 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in635631.shtml

Wow. I think it's awful that he resigned over this. I find the line "The governor spent the afternoon meeting with advisers and staff members to discuss his political future" utterly sad -- the man has no political future. He was a solid governor, and this is really a bad day for homosexuals, what with CA gay marriages being annulled.

filtherton · 08-12-2004, 01:44 PM

Seems like a silly reason to resign.

TM875 · 08-12-2004, 01:52 PM

ATTENTION PEOPLE OF THE TFP!:

I live just outside of Princeton, where everyone knows of McGreevy's secret life. He's been with a man for years and years, it's just been hidden. Now, here's the real reason he's resigning:

He's being sued. His former lover (who used to be the head of security for NJ), was fired from his posistion. He had no credentials, and was only there because he was McGreevy's lover. He was fired because the news media found out that...whoops, he had no credentials. Well, he's now suing the State of NJ and Gov. McGreevy for sexual harassment. I found this out because a female friend of mine was filing at the county courthouse and saw the paperwork.

Anyway, they had to scramble in order to cover this. He's not leaving because he's gay, he's leaving because he can't have this kind of scandal hanging over his head.

assilem · 08-12-2004, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TM875
ATTENTION PEOPLE OF THE TFP!:
He's being sued. His former lover (who used to be the head of security for NJ), was fired from his posistion. He had no credentials, and was only there because he was McGreevy's lover. He was fired because the news media found out that...whoops, he had no credentials. Well, he's now suing the State of NJ and Gov. McGreevy for sexual harassment. I found this out because a female friend of mine was filing at the county courthouse and saw the paperwork.

Anyway, they had to scramble in order to cover this. He's not leaving because he's gay, he's leaving because he can't have this kind of scandal hanging over his head.

You beat me to it TM875.

Nobody should have to resign because they are gay. He resigned over the lawsuit and because he felt that the secrets he had kept affected his credibility. Not that his homosexuality affected it.

powerclown · 08-12-2004, 03:31 PM

"Here comes the rich man in his big long limousine
Here comes the poor man all you got to have is green
Here comes the banker and the lawyer and the cop
One thing for certain it ain't never gonna stop
When it all gets too heavy
That's when they come and go
With only one thing in common
They got the fire down below."
-Bob Seger

BUSTED

repeater · 08-13-2004, 05:22 AM

Is there any truth to the sexual harrasment suit? I've heard very little about this, but I thought they were in a relationship that was totally consenual. Did he just get fired because he couldn't do the job, then sue?

Warf Rat · 08-13-2004, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by repeater
Is there any truth to the sexual harrasment suit? I've heard very little about this, but I thought they were in a relationship that was totally consenual. Did he just get fired because he couldn't do the job, then sue?

There is a real suit, or the threatening of a suit, for the purpose of a quick out of court settlement. Some say this is extortion, but it's a fine line.

The real issue here, is that if a heterosexual man, had hired his lover for a high profile job only because of the relationship, this would also be reason to step down and face the consequences. The real story, is his judgement. He hired a unqualified person to head-up HOMELAND SECURITY in NEW Jersey. If you remember this state lost many people to 9/11. Also the anthrax was sent from NJ.

This goes well beyond irresposable politics. This is just plane dangerous.

He should be in real trouble.

Cedar · 08-13-2004, 06:38 AM

This article in Salon, I think, is misleading. They go on and on about "He shouldn't resign just because he's gay," etc., ignoring the facts regarding the pending sexual harrassment lawsuit and the hiring of people with no credentials.

I could really care less whether my governor is gay or straight or bi or wants to have sex with a toaster, but I do care about honesty. Which is why I'm not in politics.

ARTelevision · 08-13-2004, 07:11 AM

Yeah agreed. His sexual preferences are a non-issue to me and I suspect they are as well to the citizens of NJ. To frame the story the way it has been framed is to introduce an erroneous, irrelevant, and contentious component.

rgr22j · 08-13-2004, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ARTelevision
Yeah agreed. His sexual preferences are a non-issue to me and I suspect they are as well to the citizens of NJ. To frame the story the way it has been framed is to introduce an erroneous, irrelevant, and contentious component.

I would say to frame the story the way it has been is to try to shield himself from the scandals surrounding him. It doesn't matter what his sexual preferences are -- going to a foreign country on an official delegation, picking up a lover, and giving said lover, lacking any qualifications (and failing a basic background check, to boot) a $110,000 a year job as the head of Homeland Security is, well, scandalous. And dangerous, as was mentioned before.

Homosexuality has nothing to do with it. I'd imagine his wife might be a bit upset about the whole thing, though. That matter is between him and his wife, however.

While I'm not gay, I'm still angry that he's demeaning gays by using a public coming out as a cheap shield to deflect attention.

-- Alvin

jakobmen · 08-13-2004, 08:23 AM

he has messed around behind his wifes back how much more would he do with the people of NJ..?

powerclown · 08-13-2004, 08:27 AM

I don't agree that his sexual preference has no bearing. Precisely because he is gay - and married, with 2 kids - is why they're turning this into such a media feeding frenzy. Republicans in NJ are calling for his resignation immediately. Its a big deal in NJ politics.

Quote:

The Man Who Toppled a Governor

A casual introduction in Israel 4 years ago would prove to be McGreevey's undoing

Friday, August 13, 2004
BY JOSH MARGOLIN AND MARK MUELLER
Star-Ledger Staff

The seeds for Gov. James E. McGreevey's stunning announcement yesterday that he is gay and that he will resign in November were planted four years ago at an elegant political reception in Israel.

It was at a performing arts center in Rishon Lezion, a middle-class enclave outside Tel Aviv, that McGreevey was introduced to Golan Cipel, a spokesman for the local mayor and a former information officer for the Israeli consulate in New York.

Six months after that chance encounter in March 2000, Cipel left for New Jersey to work on the Woodbridge mayor's campaign for governor. McGreevey helped him find a car, a job and an apartment a tenth of a mile from the Woodbridge townhouse he shared with his wife.

The Israeli national would go on to play a controversial role in McGreevey's political life over the next two years, first as the newly elected governor's homeland security adviser, drawing widespread criticism for his inexperience, and then as a "special counsel" with ill-defined responsibilities and a $110,000 annual salary.

Republicans and Democrats alike, including some members of McGreevey's inner circle, were mystified by Cipel's role in the administration and by the governor's allegiance to him.

Cipel, 35, left state government two years ago this month, an enigma to the public and to the many reporters who sought to figure him out.

Yesterday, several ranking members of the McGreevey administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was Cipel the governor was referring to when he acknowledged in his dramatic afternoon news conference that he had engaged in an extramarital affair with a man.

Separately, a public relations specialist hired by McGreevey said Cipel attempted to extort money from McGreevey, threatening to file a lawsuit against him if he was not paid millions of dollars. That lawsuit was expected to be filed in Mercer County today.

Cipel could not be reached for comment yesterday, and McGreevey, during his nationally televised press conference, did not mention him by name.

But the two men are now inextricably linked in one of the more extraordinary political stories in history.

One of three children, Cipel was raised in Rishon Lezion, Israel's fourth-largest community, where he attended public schools and graduated from a high school geared toward students who excel in science and math.

After graduating high school, Cipel served five years on active duty in the Navy, rising to the rank of first lieutenant.

It was after Cipel's military service that he moved to the United States, studying communications at the New York Institute of Technology in 1995.

A short time later, he landed a job in the public information office of the Israeli consulate.

"He knew English and he was qualified, and he did PR work and he did it pretty well," former Consul General Colette Avital, a member of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, told The Star-Ledger in 2002.

Avital said Cipel ultimately worked his way up to the position of chief information officer.

Cipel later returned to Israel, earning a position as spokesman for Meir Nitzan, the mayor of Rishon Lezion.

"He wrote communications for the newspapers -- propaganda, if I may say so," Nitzan said in 2002.

Last night, Nitzan was stunned when informed of Cipel's romantic link to McGreevey and of the governor's decision to resign.

"He was a positive person," Nitzan said of his former employee. "Dedicated to his work. He had several girlfriends."

Cipel worked for Nitzan for about 18 months, earning the equivalent of $36,000 a year.

It was during that period when he met McGreevey, who was on a mission to Israel with several other prominent politicians, among them Donald DiFrancesco, then president of the state Senate, and U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.), then a candidate for office.

The group gathered at Rishon Lezion's performing arts center for a "wine-and-dine" reception organized by the local mayor.

"I introduced (Cipel) to Jim and mentioned that this is the Democratic candidate or something like that, and I guess they started talking," said David Mallach, assistant executive director of New Jersey's United Jewish Federation of MetroWest, told The Star-Ledger in 2002. Mallach's group co-sponsored the trip.

Six months later, McGreevey asked Cipel to move to New Jersey to work on his campaign. In an interview, McGreevey would later call Cipel "bright and tough, not a yes man."

Paid $10,000 by the Democratic State Committee, Cipel worked on McGreevey's behalf as an outreach coordinator for the state's Jewish community. At the same time, McGreevey recommended him for a public relations job to Charles Kushner, the governor's top campaign contributor.

Kushner, a top New Jersey developer who has since been charged by federal authorities with obstructing an investigation into his business dealings, hired Cipel at a $30,000 annual salary.

McGreevey helped Cipel in other ways. He instructed a subordinate at Woodbridge town hall to find Cipel a car and an apartment. In short order, Cipel was living a short block from McGreevey's townhouse.

McGreevey's election as governor would place Cipel squarely in the public eye. Shortly after his inauguration in January 2002, the governor appointed the public relations man to a $110,000-a-year job as his homeland security adviser, a position that seemed to overlap with that of Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Flicker, chief of the state's new Office of Counter- Terrorism.

Moreover, Cipel appeared to have little experience for the job. McGreevey ardently defended him, pointing to his military service and to a short stint as a staffer in the Israeli parliament.

"Golan is smart, incisive, hard- working and trustworthy, and he has brought a unique point of view to the work he does," McGreevey said at the time, seeking to silence his critics.

Cipel's position was further undermined when The Star-Ledger reported that the Secret Service and the FBI would not share sensitive information with him because he was a foreigner who did not have top security clearance.

The controversy came to a head in February 2002, when state Sen. William Gormley, (R-Atlantic) threatened to block McGreevey's appointments in the Legislature if Cipel did not appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for questioning about his qualifications.

McGreevey refused to allow the appearance, at the same time ordering Cipel to refrain from interviews with the media.

"I would love to speak, but I can't," Cipel said on Feb. 28, 2002. That short statement would mark his most expansive comments throughout his government tenure.

By early March, McGreevey relented to lawmakers' demands, transferring Cipel to a position without security responsibilities. His title remained "special counsel." His salary remained $110,000.

But neither McGreevey nor his aides would immediately explain what Cipel's new duties would be.

Amid continued media inquiries, Cipel resigned in August 2002.

McGreevey continued to support Cipel, helping him obtain a job with a politically connected public relations firm, the MWW Group, in Bergen County. He later left MWW in a dispute over how much time he was expected to put into the job.

Cipel next landed at State Street Partners, recruited by Rahway Mayor Jim Kennedy, a partner in the firm and McGreevey's best friend. The firm eventually fired him.

That McGreevey continued to come to Cipel's aid troubled some of the governor's aides. One, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Star-Ledger in October 2002: "This is a joke, right? It never seems to stop. You've got to just cut your losses and that's it. He just keeps an issue alive that shouldn't be alive."

source

Bookman · 08-17-2004, 04:54 AM

It seems that it is a cover up. This Cipal is an Israeli who was given an American HOMELAND SECURITY job without credentials?
I am sorry but there is TOO MUCH going on with New Jersey, Israelis and Terrorism.

Look up Carl Cameron from FOX news.

theusername · 08-17-2004, 06:35 AM

McGreevey has tried to spin this whole situation to garner sympathy. The fact that he's gay and cheated on his wife, and has 2 kids is completely insignificant. Although it is a sad story it's still not a reason to resign.

But hiring an Israeli citizen who he's having an affair with to any government job, let alone National Security Director of New Jersey is despicable and he should be removed immediately from office for this grave crime. He has been an extremely corrupt and unpopular governor throughout his administration. Please do research before assuming, "he stepped down because he was gay."

This man gives gays a bad name.

98MustGT · 08-17-2004, 03:59 PM

TOP 10 McGreevey jokes...
10. New Jersey State Bird - swallow

9. New Jersey Turnpike renamed - hershey highway

8. New Jersey raises terror alert level to - lavender

7. We know he didn't like bush, but this is ridiculous!

6. Now we know why McGreevey enjoyed "polling" so much.

5. What does McGreevey and the Israeli navy have in common?

- Jewish seamen.

4. New Jersey DMV to now call rear-end accidents, a "mcgreevey".

3. Gives new meaning to "stuffing the ballot box".

2. NY Post headline..."McGreevey Goes Down".

1. It shouldn't take McGreevey long to get out of the Governor's Mansion......he's already got his sh1t packed!

ubertuber · 08-17-2004, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgr22j

While I'm not gay, I'm still angry that he's demeaning gays by using a public coming out as a cheap shield to deflect attention.

-- Alvin

Alvin, this is my perception as well. I think that after about the first day many people have realized that he was departing to avoid the inevitable scandal this lawsuit will bring. Spinning it as being because he is gay was just to kick up some dust to cover his tracks - and unworthy of the respect that gay Americans deserve. Too bad for his wife and kids though...

onetime2 · 08-19-2004, 04:53 AM

McGreevey and his cronies are about as corrupt a lot of politicians as I've ever seen (and coming from NJ that's no easy task).

His tenure as governor has been riddled with corruption, bribery, abuse of power, etc.

I was amazed to see the teleconference of his resignation. It really floored me. He gave one hell of a speech and really took responsibility for the affair. That was impressive. I have no doubt there is more to this tale as the guy he allegedly harrassed seems to be a real scumbag. McGreevey most certainly tried to cover it up and pay him off but when the demands got too big and perhaps others began holding it over his head too much he opted to get out.

The McGreevey administration has been faced with campaign finance abuses, bribery, using the NJ state police to gather dirt on political opponents, and a few of his top advisors even stole the billboards from the roadsides to make a few million bucks by setting up a company to take ownership of the billboards made permissable by new legislation and then selling that company to enrich themselves.

Not sure what the lesson here is. Maybe it's that corruption breeds corruption. It's truly been a disgusting administration and McGreevey's homosexuality has absolutely nothing to do with it (unless of course this fact was used as leverage to force him into various illegal activities).

08-12-2004, 12:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kadath Muffled Location: Camazotz	Gov of NJ announces resignation, homosexuality http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in635631.shtml Wow. I think it's awful that he resigned over this. I find the line "The governor spent the afternoon meeting with advisers and staff members to discuss his political future" utterly sad -- the man has no political future. He was a solid governor, and this is really a bad day for homosexuals, what with CA gay marriages being annulled. __________________ it's quiet in here

08-12-2004, 01:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
TM875 Addict Location: Amish-land, PA	ATTENTION PEOPLE OF THE TFP!: I live just outside of Princeton, where everyone knows of McGreevy's secret life. He's been with a man for years and years, it's just been hidden. Now, here's the real reason he's resigning: He's being sued. His former lover (who used to be the head of security for NJ), was fired from his posistion. He had no credentials, and was only there because he was McGreevy's lover. He was fired because the news media found out that...whoops, he had no credentials. Well, he's now suing the State of NJ and Gov. McGreevy for sexual harassment. I found this out because a female friend of mine was filing at the county courthouse and saw the paperwork. Anyway, they had to scramble in order to cover this. He's not leaving because he's gay, he's leaving because he can't have this kind of scandal hanging over his head. __________________ "I've made only one mistake in my life. But I made it over and over and over. That was saying 'yes' when I meant 'no'. Forgive me."

08-13-2004, 05:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
repeater Crazy Location: Chicago	Is there any truth to the sexual harrasment suit? I've heard very little about this, but I thought they were in a relationship that was totally consenual. Did he just get fired because he couldn't do the job, then sue? __________________ When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -Raoul Duke

08-13-2004, 07:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Yeah agreed. His sexual preferences are a non-issue to me and I suspect they are as well to the citizens of NJ. To frame the story the way it has been framed is to introduce an erroneous, irrelevant, and contentious component. __________________ create evolution

08-13-2004, 08:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
jakobmen Upright	he has messed around behind his wifes back how much more would he do with the people of NJ..? Last edited by jakobmen; 08-13-2004 at 08:28 AM..

08-12-2004, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	Seems like a silly reason to resign.

08-12-2004, 03:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	"Here comes the rich man in his big long limousine Here comes the poor man all you got to have is green Here comes the banker and the lawyer and the cop One thing for certain it ain't never gonna stop When it all gets too heavy That's when they come and go With only one thing in common They got the fire down below." -Bob Seger BUSTED

08-13-2004, 06:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
Cedar Crazy Location: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry	This article in Salon, I think, is misleading. They go on and on about "He shouldn't resign just because he's gay," etc., ignoring the facts regarding the pending sexual harrassment lawsuit and the hiring of people with no credentials. I could really care less whether my governor is gay or straight or bi or wants to have sex with a toaster, but I do care about honesty. Which is why I'm not in politics.

08-17-2004, 04:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
Bookman Insane	It seems that it is a cover up. This Cipal is an Israeli who was given an American HOMELAND SECURITY job without credentials? I am sorry but there is TOO MUCH going on with New Jersey, Israelis and Terrorism. Look up Carl Cameron from FOX news.

08-17-2004, 06:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
theusername Insane	McGreevey has tried to spin this whole situation to garner sympathy. The fact that he's gay and cheated on his wife, and has 2 kids is completely insignificant. Although it is a sad story it's still not a reason to resign. But hiring an Israeli citizen who he's having an affair with to any government job, let alone National Security Director of New Jersey is despicable and he should be removed immediately from office for this grave crime. He has been an extremely corrupt and unpopular governor throughout his administration. Please do research before assuming, "he stepped down because he was gay." This man gives gays a bad name. __________________ ?

08-17-2004, 03:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
98MustGT Crazy Location: San Diego	TOP 10 McGreevey jokes... 10. New Jersey State Bird - swallow 9. New Jersey Turnpike renamed - hershey highway 8. New Jersey raises terror alert level to - lavender 7. We know he didn't like bush, but this is ridiculous! 6. Now we know why McGreevey enjoyed "polling" so much. 5. What does McGreevey and the Israeli navy have in common? - Jewish seamen. 4. New Jersey DMV to now call rear-end accidents, a "mcgreevey". 3. Gives new meaning to "stuffing the ballot box". 2. NY Post headline..."McGreevey Goes Down". 1. It shouldn't take McGreevey long to get out of the Governor's Mansion......he's already got his sh1t packed!

08-19-2004, 04:53 AM	#17 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	McGreevey and his cronies are about as corrupt a lot of politicians as I've ever seen (and coming from NJ that's no easy task). His tenure as governor has been riddled with corruption, bribery, abuse of power, etc. I was amazed to see the teleconference of his resignation. It really floored me. He gave one hell of a speech and really took responsibility for the affair. That was impressive. I have no doubt there is more to this tale as the guy he allegedly harrassed seems to be a real scumbag. McGreevey most certainly tried to cover it up and pay him off but when the demands got too big and perhaps others began holding it over his head too much he opted to get out. The McGreevey administration has been faced with campaign finance abuses, bribery, using the NJ state police to gather dirt on political opponents, and a few of his top advisors even stole the billboards from the roadsides to make a few million bucks by setting up a company to take ownership of the billboards made permissable by new legislation and then selling that company to enrich themselves. Not sure what the lesson here is. Maybe it's that corruption breeds corruption. It's truly been a disgusting administration and McGreevey's homosexuality has absolutely nothing to do with it (unless of course this fact was used as leverage to force him into various illegal activities). __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.