He has been charged with corruption in a federal investigation by the US Attorney's office.

Click here to read the full complaint against Mayor Bencivengo

http://media.nj.com/centraljersey_impact/other/Bencivengo,%20John%20Complaint.pdf

Editorial: Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo should resign immediately amid bribery, extortion charge Published: Thursday, April 26, 2012, 1:39 PM     Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012, 3:46 PM   By Times of Trenton Editorial Board

Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo has been charged by federal authorities who say he initiated a deal to trade his political influence over the township school board for $12,400.

Details that have emerged surrounding an FBI investigation and the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court against Bencivengo add up to a disappointing and sordid picture. The mayor is accused of asking an insurance agent for money in return for pressuring a Hamilton school board member to renew a health insurance brokerage services contract without putting it out to bid.

The insurance agent, who began cooperating with federal authorities after that May 12 meeting, was instructed by the mayor to deliver a $5,000 check to a Bencivengo associate who then issued Bencivengo checks in $100 and $500 increments, the complaint alleges.

If questioned, the mayor advised the agent to say he'd purchased a bedroom set from the as-yet-unnamed intermediary, it continues.

About two months later, Bencivengo, who earns $98,000 as Hamilton's mayor, asked for another $7.400 in order to pay his taxes, according to the complaint.

That amount "is definitely doable, as long as you got my back with [the school board member]," the witness said.  

 

"When have I ever not had your back?" Bencivengo responded, the complaint states. 

 

During other tape-recorded meetings, the witness handed over cash payments totaling $7,400.

The mayor has not addressed any of these charges. His attorney said Bencivengo is innocent.

He is, of course, innocent until proved otherwise. He should, however, step down as this case unfolds.

We call for Bencivengo to resign his office as Hamilton's council and community attempt to pick up the pieces left by these shattering revelations. He must step aside immediately so that others may do the job with which he was entrusted.

Just months after the events described in the criminal complaint, Bencivengo was re-elected mayor. On that election night in November, he chalked up his victory to "good government, good politics, and that's what we stand by every day."

*Read the full complaint against Bencivengo 

"Starting again tomorrow," he said, "we'll roll up our sleeves once more and make sure we're doing the right things to help the people of Hamilton Township."

Instead of rolling up his sleeves to help his constituents, federal authorities say he's been holding out his hand to help himself.

Click here to read the full complaint against Mayor Bencivengo

http://media.nj.com/centraljersey_impact/other/Bencivengo,%20John%20Complaint.pdf