FBI Raids Home Of Trenton Mayor Tony Mack
By Robin Rieger
TRENTON, NJ (CBS) – The FBI raided the home of the mayor of New Jersey's capital city early Wednesday morning.
Trenton mayor Tony Mack left City Hall quietly Wednesday afternoon after being in his office for just over an hour. As he left work he did not comment on search warrants executed at his Trenton home early Wednesday morning. The FBI confirms they are part of an ongoing investigation.
Eyewitness News reporter Robin Rieger spoke to Mack Wednesday morning who said, "I have not violated the public trust, nor have I violated my public duties."
The FBI confirms search warrants were also executed at the River Drive home where neighbors say the mayors brother Raphael Mack lives. He's a a Trenton School District social worker and high school football coach.
The FBI says the home on Homecrest Avenue in Ewing was also searched early Wednesday morning. Neighbors say Joseph Giorgianni, a supporter of mayor Mack, lives there.
"It's really, really bad that his house got raided today. You know he's supposed to be supportive of Trenton and helping us grow but he's setting us back," said Crystal Turner, a Trenton resident.
"It's really, really bad that his house got raided today. You know he's supposed to be supportive of Trenton and helping us grow but he's setting us back," said Crystal Turner, a Trenton resident.
Mack was elected in a runoff election in 2010 but his administration has not been without trouble, including police layoffs, cabinet appointees and his half brothers guilty plea to misuse of water department equipment and overtime.
"He's made some blunders in his administration, in terms of his administrations, but in terms of trying to do what's right for this community, I don't think we could find a more committed person," said city councilman Alex Bethea.
Bethea said he believes the mayors heart is in the right place.
"We're not going to make any premature decisions before all the information is collected," said Bethea.
"There are no implications because everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We don't know much so we can't say much," said city council president Phyllis Holly-ward.
Holly-ward says the search warrants and their impact on city government are expected to be discussed at Thursday afternoon's council meeting.
The mayor has not been asked to step down.
The FBI says no charges have been filed.
Mack, his brother Raphael and Joseph Giorgianni have not been named by the FBI as targets of an investigation.
