Board of Public Utilities scandal

Plainfielders with a sense of history may recall the incredibly corrupt period of the late 19th century, when Robber Barons like J.P. Morgan, Jay Gould and Daniel Drew (yes, Drew University) prowled New Jersey, making themselves rich from exploiting it's natural and human resources.

One of the outcomes of Progressive movement of the early 20th century that these guys spawned was the establishment of bureaucracies such as the Board of Public Utilities to regulate some of these corporate entities in the (supposed) best interests of the public.

Now, the BPU is embroiled in a scandal of perhaps monumental proportions: A secret bank account of more than $80 million that was established outside the purview of -- and without the knowledge of -- the state treasury.

A whistleblower lawsuit filed nearly four years ago will finally go to trial today.

But without a key piece of evidence -- audits conducted by the Treasury and the state auditor.

These, according to a Superior Court judge are 'too inflammatory' and would prejudice the jurors' minds.

Huh?!

I learned from serving on the Cable TV Commission that negotiated Plainfield's current franchise agreement just how snug the relationship of the BPU is to the very businesses it is supposed to regulate. (The BPU regulates gas, electricity, and water companies as well as cable TV.)

Run by folks who are incredibly plugged in to the New Jersey Democratic machine, the state audits of the BPU pointed out the supersized opportunities for abuse that the secret account made possible.

Shouldn't a fair trial include ALL the evidence?

You'll have to read the story to get the judge's rationale, and his cockamamie proposal.

Even after reading it, I can't.

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• Gannett: "Judge: Jurors can't see state audit in BPU lawsuit"
  Website: "Board of Public Utilities" -- Wherein you will learn NOTHING of the scandal.

-- Dan Damon

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