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EDITORIAL

ATLANTIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR

TED HOUSEL

THE HEAT IS ON ...

DID HOUSEL "MISSPEAK" AS HE NOW SAYS UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE ... OR, DID HE LIE TO THE PUBLIC

By HARRY HURLEY

Editor & Publisher

HarryHurley.com

THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2008

5:55 A.M.

It is time for Housel to open up to the public regarding what criminal charges he asked the Grand Jury to consider:

This should never have been called the Gene Robinson scandal ... It was never about him ... It was always about what was done to him.

Only, we were the only ones to understand this.

It is outrageous that this political coup is being swept under the dirty political rug by a (now) significantly damaged Atlantic County Prosecutor, Ted Housel.

Every instinct in my body told me that Housel has behaved badly here. I knew in my heart that former Prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz did the right thing when the federal government handed him the Schultz/Callaway/Tally caper.

The reason the feds handed the case off was because they believed that the state law would serve justice better then existing federal law. In other words, the state law was tougher.

However, when Blitz left and Housel took over ... Housel changed everything.

We are not privy to Grand Jury transcripts, but, we have covered this matter closer then anyone else.

And, we now know some important details. First, that Housel has finally admitted that he misspoke when he said that he "inherited" this case. He most certainly did not. But, we now know that Housel changed everything about this case, yet, he know tells the public that he inherited the case.

This was the ultimate disgrace and cop out to make it look like everything that is happening know is Jeff Blitz' fault. Jeff Blitz is completely innocent here.

A more important question is did Housel misspeak, or, did he intentionally lie to the public?

I truly hate to say this, but, I believe Housel has blatantly lied to the public and got caught. Here's why:

Housel is smart. How could he not know that he worked on the Schultz/Callaway/Tally blackmail case? How could he not know that his predecesor (Blitz) had charged them with second degree offenses?

Another crucial question that must be answered is: Why did Housel go so soft? This is the question that we need to go after aggressively. I am asking The Press of Atlantic City, News Channel 40 NBC and all fellow local media to do what's right here. Let's band together and get to the bottom of this.

Housel admits he misspoke on the first point here. Did Housel also misspeak to the public when he said that the Grand Jury did not indict for "Official Misconduct"? How could they if Housel never asked him to? Housel is making it look like the Grand Jury considered this and other 2nd degree crimes.

I can't absolutely prove this point without seeing the Grand Jury transcripts ... something that Housel should release immediately. he is presently hiding behind that this is secret and should remain that way. I normally would agree with this, accept when we have a Prosecutor who is not being honest with the public.

Housel's ability to remain as Atlantic County Prosecutor is at stake. He is the top law enforcement official in the County. He has (in my opinion) lied to the public.

At the minimum, he has admitted to "misspeaking" to the public.

This is the highest profile case Housel has had since becoming Prosecutor and yet we're suppose to believe that he simply misspoke about his direct role in this case.

I'm not buying it. neither should you. We need to demand answers from Housel immediately. There is something very wrong about Housel's conduct ... It rises in my estimation to his unfitness to continue as Prosecutor.

I want to end this with a few "housekeeping items."

First, today's The Press of Atlantic City coverage, both news and editorial on this subject matter is first rate all the way. I wish I had written today's editorial, because it is one of the most accurate and well written pieces I have ever read. It hits all of the important points in a fair and balanced manner.

Finally, a note of apology to former Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeff Blitz. I was wrong about a few things and I want to apologize man-to-man, and set the record straight on a few things.

First, Blitz did his job in this case and he did it well. He followed the federal edict for why the case was turned over to him in the first place. Had Blitz remained in office, we would not be talking about this case today. The federal government gave this case to Blitz because they trusted him and they knew he would do the right thing. The gave him this case to pursue Official Misconduct and other second degree crimes. They did not hand it to the state for a political white wash.

Finally, I was long of the belief that Jeff Blitz did not do enough regarding the massive political crime and corruption going on here in Atlantic County.

I was wrong about this point. While he did come a little late to the party ... I have obtained absolute confirmation from federal sources that Jeff Blitz was a solid and important partner in all of the recent political corruption convictions that have taken place in Atlantic County.

I was very tough on Jeff Blitz. If I knew then, what I know now ... I would have given him the credit that he deserves.

I want to give that to Jeff now. He's earned it. Because he was such a tight-lipped pro, he never complained about getting tagged here. That's to his credit.