Stossel Confronts Politicians About Corruption Allegations

Developer claims politicians blocked their project to favor a crony who helps the politicians.
---------
Subscribe to our KZbin channel: / reasontv
Like us on Facebook: / reason.magaz. .
Follow us on Twitter: / reason
Subscribe to our podcast at iTunes: goo.gl/az3a7a
Reason is the planet's leading source of news, politics, and culture from a libertarian perspective. Go to reason.com for a point of view you won't get from legacy media and old left-right opinion magazines.
---------
An apartment developer paid millions for prime real estate in Edgewater, New Jersey, with a beautiful view of Manhattan. Nearly 2,000 apartments would be built. The developer also offered to build public parks, parking, a ferry terminal, and a pier, all at no cost to taxpayers.
But Edgewater's mayor, Michael McPartland, and city council said: No, you may not build!
That's not that unusual. Local officials often keep new developments out.
But in this case, they also voted to seize the developer's land using eminent domain. John Stossel asks: Why would they do that?
The developer says he knows. He filed a lawsuit alleging a "corrupt relationship" between politicians in Edgewater and an established developer, Fred Daibes. The lawsuit claims Daibes was upset because he wanted the property himself. "Daibes even directly threatened Plaintiff's representatives that they 'should have come to me in the beginning,'" the lawsuit states. "'I own and built this town. Now it will be condemned; I am your neighbor on all sides.'"
The lawsuit then lays out alleged corruption: The mayor lives in a Fred Daibes' apartment building, where he gets a subsidized rent (an accustation the mayor denies).
Four city council members also received loans from a Daibes-controlled bank. The lawyer for the plaintiff tells John Stossel that many have "ongoing relationships with [Daibes]. Jobs...undervalued rentals...loans for their business purposes through a bank that Mr. Daibes started and has the controlling interest in."
But the mayor and city council say they have a legitimate reason for blocking the development. It "would kill the infrastructure. It's just too much," McPartland told The New York Times.
But then why did they approve an even bigger development for Fred Daibes? It's twice as tall as the project the city council blocked.
That sounds like possible corruption to Stossel.
Neither Daibes, the mayor, nor anyone on the city council agreed to be interviewed for this story. So Stossel went to a town council meeting to see if the politicians would answer questions.
"Are you on the take?" Stossel asks. He then lays out some of the allegations. But the council members and mayor don't respond to the issues. Their lawyer criticized Stossel's "objectionable tone" and advised the mayor not to comment.
"You've had your time. You may sit down," the mayor eventually tells Stossel.
That was that.
Developers can't tell other developers "you can't build here" unless they have cronies in government, Stossel points out. That's not capitalism, that's crony capitalism. Or corruption.
That harms people who now won't be able to live in apartments near Manhattan. It harms the developer who loses a multi-million dollar investment. It harms citizens of Edgewater who lose out on free parks and other amenities.
The views expressed in this video are solely those of John Stossel, his independent production company, Stossel Productions, and the people he interviews. The claims and opinions set forth in the video and accompanying text are not necessarily those of Reason.

[@ZombieLicorice]

Thanks for being one of the few real journalists these days stossel

[@jeremyrainman]

Wait, the Mayor comes to city council meetings with his own personal lawyer?

[@kode3]

It's the City's lawyer.

[@jeremyrainman]

If it's the city's lawyer, why is he legally advising the Mayor on responding to a personal matter?

[@kode3]

He's acting as Mayor, anything he says can put the City in jeopardy. This is common practice across the country.

[@ab-ul1yz]

It's not a good practice.

[@clinke2007]

In other words, "Our Mayor is a dipwad who can't put two words together without incriminating himself, so let's put someone there to save him from himself".

[@nathanweisser]

You can't Jossel the Stossel

[@robertcampbell840]

Clever!

[@wkdravenna]

I want to comment but my legal consul says it's obvious your tone is very jossely.

[@werunguns]

Damn right!

[@lucretius123]

Jostle

[@wkdravenna]

lucretius123 the mis-spelling was intentional.

[@watchdealer11]

Stossel is my hero.

[@vrolleri]

No. He is ours! :)

[@flamefusion8963]

Vince R Ours? Are you a commie? 😂😂😂

[@DrCruel]

My understanding is that the Left fascists have issued a fatwa against Stossel.

[@animal16365]

It's very obvious that he's getting kick backs. Refusing to answer the question or questions is a very telling sign of corruption

[@jpodell007]

Mr. Stossel should file complaints with the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division along with the Official Corruption Unit of the New Jersey State Police.

[@KeoniPhoenix]

It's not that simple but for the most part yes. A public official isn't suppose to lie or dodge to answer legitimate questions but that is for his constituents to either approve of or disapprove of by exercising their right to vote them out or pursue another legal remedy.

[@Barskor1]

As useful as filing complaints with the Mafia.

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

I hope the Institute for Justice is on this. There was a similar case in Illinois that ended up going RICO.

[@jimothy_7255]

Jostle

[@brandonbutler334]

One of my biggest pet peeves is when liberals assume that libertarians are "for corporations" and that we'd defend "crony capitalists". The truth is the exact opposite. Real competition and low government power, enforcing the law equally, encourage businesses to be moral, liable, and responsible for their actions. Giving politicians discretionary power over things only creates corruption.

[@jeremyrainman]

The worst is when liberals presume that the only way to rein-in big corporations is to create regulations... It's like, "Wait wha??".... the reason corporations get so big, unchallengable, and prevent disruption of their position is by lobbying government to change regulations in a way that is palatable for them and impossible for small businesses to comply with, while pretending they are virtuous in the public sphere. So many liberals seem to be unable to recognize that government regulation in a representative democracy just means that eventually (perhaps not right away, but eventually) government will make it harder for mom-and-pop shops and easier on big corporations.

[@AK1776-]

Brandon Butler absolutely power corrupts absolutely

[@bruhmoment8108]

Roboter and how do you remove business from power? And what do you mean by "primacy of power"?

[@jeremyrainman]

*Well most liberals and all republicans are brainwashed into being corporate servants. The solution is not to dissolve government. The solution is to remove businesses from power and create a primacy of power of the elected government over the economic matters.* Well, for one, I never suggested dissolving government. But I would submit that any time you create regulations in a nation where the people have the power to influence those regulations, then only the corporations most affected by those regulations are going to spend money to re-write those regulations. Regulatory capture is inevitable in the system of governments we have in the west, it is inevitable.

[@Dan16673]

Roboter nothing exists in perfect form. It's only relative comparisons that count.

[@aldri346]

Those criminals should be in prison

[@Chubsywubbledub]

This is true journalism. Very well done

[@2vnews902]

Instead of being embarrassed when being called out, they get angry. It seems they feel they are entitled to be corrupt.

[@SM77785]

It's the typical mobster mindset. It is NJ after all.

[@wkdravenna]

Lol look at them squirm and bend into pretzels.

[@Volcanite]

3 dislikes were from dabies, mayor and his lawyer lol

[@werunguns]

Hahahahaha

[@101fairplay]

it now 7, the lawyers for the other 3 accused maybe?

[@jordanlucien426]

Anthracycline 10 dislikes, most likely Davies and the Mayor are making fake emails to dislike the video

[@rayackerman5705]

Stossel is seriously the best

[@spawnlink]

Having lived in Edgewater and Fort Lee for several years... Not surprised at all. Plenty of corruption in those towns.

[@njeddie4488]

Questioning a municipal government in Bergen county? The real question is " who is Stossel going to get to start his car for him?"

[@EternallyRound]

Please email the Mayor at [e-mail] to ask about his curruption.

[@nobodymatters3294]

Austin Holloway this needs to be at the top. Good work son!

[@Drumsgoon]

The more power in government, the more corruption can occur.

[@ryantucker6972]

This is so ridiculous, I hope this goes viral.

[@MarcelCasella]

If I lived in NewYork, I would go to all of these meetings until I got those questions answered. In fact, I would create a group to do just that at EVERY single meeting. Politely request answers. If I get dismissed, then I would have ten friends in line with the same question.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Marcel Casella New Jersey

[@419fish]

You would be wasting your breath. This is a fundamental consequences of representatives democracy. Even if after thousands of hours you won, the next problem will creep up. This is one of thousands of such corruptions

[@Cruxxy21]

If there wasn't corruption there, they could quite easily have denied it or responded truthfully.

[@lakersfansince1991]

How does this only have 40k views? This is real journalism

[@Mas3452001]

The mob never died. They just changed their job description from "drug dealer" to "developer"

[@laopang91362]

corruption is everywhere....

[@dannychambers8076]

THEY ALL LIED ! NEED NEW LAW THAT PUNISH WHEN CAUGHT LIEING !

[@Aleph-Zero]

This happens all over the world. I live in Spain and work in the real estate sector. Even a teller can pull major favors.

[@Phantom1343]

Haha this is fantastic!!! Those guys all looked like they saw a ghost.

[@jonahbrown4408]

Damn way to stand up Stossel.

[@hostiliscivitas]

Unfortunately the judges are also corrupt

[@werunguns]

Great reporting, this level of corruption is disgusting

[@AntiNeoFascist]

Great investigative journalism. I love this stuff. The media needs more of this kind of digging. Keep it up sir.

[@s0lid_sno0ks]

I hope Stossel is packing. Never know what kind of goons these people have on their payroll.

[@elizabethashley42]

Bless you, Mr. Stossel.

[@heyhbk]

Wow, I have no connection whatsoever to any of this, but this injustice is infuriating to watch.

[@filibertogarced]

I dont think is appropriate lol well it's obvious they are hiding something.

[@SM77785]

They don't think that exposing their criminal behavior is appropriate.

[@Nokomisclub]

Thank you, John Stossel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@aaronchristensen8333]

What part of Stossel's question was inappropriate? Did he insult the mayors mother?

[@nathandurbin1032]

This why I am a libertarian cause you point out that most government agencies become too powerful and spend way to much on stupid thing that no would pay for with there own money

[@sergioesamayoa]

This guy has it balls! Shame on the politicians!

[@MrSmackdab]

Bravo Stossel!

[@DoctorMandible]

Get'em, Stossel!

[@danielwhite2941]

WOW, we need to VOTE! Pay constant attention to the gov't, like the are children.

[@bell191991]

Every voter and rent payer in New York should watch this

[@jaxkal9596]

Because the housing industry doesnt need more houses i guess

[@glanemann]

This is why there are so many homeless in big cities. Because there is never enough housing. The cost of living increases to the point where you either have to be very rich to afford to live there, or your poor as shit and homeless. You make the middle class disappear. It's what is going on all of California and other high cost cities that refuse to let developers develop land and build housing.

[@Barskor1]

Plenty of buildings in New Yuck that are empty because of rent control paying less than what it takes to maintain the building and have any profit left over leaving them decaying hulks full of drug users and crime all to "Help the people" because the rent is "Too damned High!".

[@cadenbigler]

This is gross. Absolutely disposable

[@leoperez2566]

Those bums got Stossel'd!

[@deathbycognitivedissonance5036]

Get'em Stossel!

[@caphumphreys8934]

Dawww, da widdle mayor doesn't like your tone. Living like he does, I bet he expected "my lord, by your grace may I speak?"

[@JustinVK]

two kinds of people...those who want to be left alone, and those who won't leave them alone...

[@BillyBuntin]

Great reporting, Stossel.

[@CJCruiser]

An Objectionable Tone, Heavens Me!

[@ShinkleGunDog]

That makes my blood boil.

[@StepUPNJ]

I hope this video gets that corrupt mayor thrown out on his kiester.

[@furtim1]

Right into a jail cell.

[@bL1X]

Yet another example of our non-representative government. Why do we let them take our earnings?

[@scykotic]

So what ever happened with this?

[@christianrodier3381]

Best of luck to Maxal. Fight that corruption machine

[@redfeildre349]

These are the kind of stories we USED to see on television.

[@N0Bark]

Love this reporter!!! You are awesome dude keep up the amazing work!

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Edgewater's light poles would look better with holiday decorations this 4th of July.

[@jaquo25]

Keep up the good work, John!

[@JustAnotherHuman33]

This is insane to see this. Their guiltily as f. Its so obvious!!!!

[@HerrFenchel]

Nice Mafia swamp you got over there.

[@gfcardi]

Hmm, I suspect The Founders would have strung up the City Council Members as tyrants.

[@stringX90]

Appreciate the video -- it's a good example of cronyism. Thanks.

[@ericthompson9507]

I love it! Stossel is the man! He busted all their balls and they can’t take it!

[@yuentsang6903]

This makes me sick

[@syntaxusdogmata3333]

Long Live the Stossel!

[@justinewert2166]

Why I continue to watch and respect John Stossel 👌

[@vintifada7115]

Stossel you're a badass. Hope this gets resolved

[@fuflang]

Awesome piece Stossel loved how you connect it to how its hurting capitalism and consumers. Keep it up.

[@MasonPelt]

As your legal counsel I advise you not to answer that. Was the best statement from this video. Not being able to say definitively no I am not on the payroll at this guy is insane

[@wilhelmkirkpatrick]

Not suppressing in the Garden State. More reasons to get out of NJ and never look back.

[@XGiveMeLibertyX]

Stossel is the man!

[@OutSideTheBoxFormat]

This country needs more John Stossels. Stossel the only reason to watch Reason.

[@alexgoogleplus3779]

this is great investigative journalism MSM take note!!

[@thatsamorais584]

I feel like I've seen this mayor before, but never lived in New Jersey

[@zygi22]

You gotta love Jon ❤️😀

[@glennbrunck7572]

good job!!

[@JoeCiliberto]

Great work - About time.

[@MyCatFooed]

This is an example of superb journalism. Kudos to Stossel and everybody involved!!

[@jpodell007]

Mr. Stossel should file a request under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act for all of the materials he wants including the public employee financial disclosure forms of the mayor. If any sort of shenanigans are indeed found, then Mr. Stossel should report his allegations of misconduct to the Official Corruption Unit of the New Jersey State Police along with the local FBI Public Corruption Squad in Newark and the local field office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. If corruption is afoot, it will be interesting if criminal charges are initiated against the involved public officials.

[@q4moneyq247]

Nice Video. Go Stossel!

[@PatrickHealy]

Corruption in Jersey? Shocker.....

[@Strategistdating]

This man should be in charge of everything in this country him and Ron Paul basically people like this should own this country.

[@SuperFinGuy]

Why would anyone want to move to New Jersey anyway?

[@bassandtrebleclef]

Nicely done, John. Love the videos!

[@williamdupon7510]

They should all be jail.... but it’s New Jersey 😂😂😂

[@bassmaster867]

The Federal Courthouse in Boston is on a gorgeous piece of property right on the Harbor. Instead of being a hotel, shopping mall, condos i dont know something that was open on Colombus day it would be a decent use of land. The only government buildings that are built on otherwise worthless plots of land are prisons.

[@Truthcanbeconfusing]

Awesome

[@MustPassTruck]

Put this info on billboards around the town and on mobile truck billboards.

[@abramgaller2037]

The mayor has the right to remain silent,the right to have an attorney present before answering any questions etcetera.!

[@zfallon84]

I hope that this opens up a huge federal investigation.

[@boostedmaniac]

Wow John. You have tremendous patience. I’m livid just watching how they treated you.

[@werunguns]

Drain the swamp!

[@Momoka7]

LOL! ... of course Mr Major will not answer that question. That would mean to admit that whatever Stossel said is true. Otherwise he would have denied it.

[@scottbros6368]

What u say ??? Off with his head!😃

[@DaveSkylark111]

Stossel is fantastic. Thank you for what you do.

[@vonsuthoff]

Corruption in Jersey!!?? Naaaa... What are the odds? Oh really... 100%. And I'm sure it's just a coincidence that mob boss... I meant developer... Daibes is the head of the Tony Soprano fan club... right? Just goes to show... you can buy a City Council, but you just can't buy real class!

[@hoppinglark]

"You're welcome to stick around" anyone feel uneasy at that.

[@foonme99]

I love you, John. Get the bastards.

[@jccusell]

Look! A real journalist! Amazing to see such an endangered spicies like this in the wild...

[@brandon152lee]

Our forefathers killed for this type of behavior. It's time the people stand up against it

[@vrolleri]

Stossel for mayor of Edgewater!