Finally, New Jersey corruption lawsuits are poised to get underway! Jury selection has begun for the first trial of suspended Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini, arrested six months ago when feds made massive raids and arrests. The former burlesque dancer will take the stand and defend herself against charges of extortion and bribery, while informant Solomon Dweck will give his much-awaited account of how he secretly recorded hours of incriminating evidence in restaurants, diners, meetings and parking lots.
No stranger to shady dealings, 74-year-old Beldini was once known as The Hope Diamond on stage. "She was a shapely, dark-haired burlesque queen, performing through the 1950s and ’60s from Buffalo to Toledo, as a headliner in places like Union City’s old Hudson Theater," wrote the Star Ledger. In high school she made the transition from show girl to stripper, and later on to treasurer for Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. Now she'll stand up against charges that she took $20,000 in illicit campaign contributions.
In addition to her testimony, jurors will have great seats for the first public account of the government's sting operation, reported AP. Dweck, the informant who carried it out will tell all the top secret details. In the coming months 43 other corrupt rabbis, municipal employees and elected officials arrested in a huge July 23 takedown will go to trial. This should be good.
