L. Harvey Smith
Encyclopedia
L. Harvey Smith is an American
Democratic Party
politician
who has served in the New Jersey
General Assembly
from January 8, 2008 to January 10, 2010, where he represented the 31st legislative district. He is the former Acting Mayor of Jersey City
, New Jersey
and previously served in the New Jersey Senate
. He did not seek re-election in 2009.
from Long Island University
in Health / Physical Education and an M.A.
from New Jersey City University
in Psychology / Counseling.
Smith served in the Assembly on the Higher Education Committee and the Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.
A three-term Jersey City councilman who spent four years as City Council President, Smith served as Acting Mayor following the death of Mayor Glenn Cunningham
in May 2004 until the certification of the results of a special election in November 2004. Smith ran in the special election to fill the remainder of Cunningham's term which expired in July 2005, but lost to Judge Jerramiah T. Healy.
In 2003, Smith ran against Cunningham for a seat in the New Jersey Senate representing parts of Jersey City and all of Bayonne
. While endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, Smith lost in the primary to Cunningham. In October 2003, when State Sen. Joseph Charles
resigned early to become a state judge, Smith was selected by Democratic Party leaders to fill the remainder of Charles' Senate term until January 2004. He was sworn into the Senate seat in November 2003.
Smith, a former teacher, was appointed as an Undersheriff
of Hudson County
after he left the State Senate. He took a leave as undersheriff to serve as acting mayor and then returned to the post. He did not seek reelection to the City Council in 2005.
In March 2007, Smith announced his campaign in the Democratic Primary for the State Assembly
on a ticket headed by former Jersey City First Lady Sandra Bolden Cunningham
. Smith won a spot on the ballot in the June 2007 primary and won an uncontested election in November 2007. Smith served one term in the Assembly as a representative of the 31st legislative district.
On June 8, 2009, Smith introduced a bill into the New Jersey State Assembly that would ban the use of GPS systems in cars. http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2009/nj-a4064.pdf.
, a joint operation of the FBI, IRS, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey
into political corruption
and money laundering
. Smith was charged with accepting $15,000 in bribes in exchange for obtaining approval of building plans.
Despite call for Smith's resignation from Governor Jon Corzine
and others, Smith has said that he would remain in office. In a letter sent to Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts on August 6, 2009, Smith stated, "I believe that the resignation of my position as assemblyman is inconsistent with the presumption of innocence." Roberts, however, has said that he would suspend Smith's pay and benefits.
On February 9, 2010, Smith was indicted for receiving $15,000 in bribes from a government informant. He pleaded not guilty and planned to use an entrapment
defense for the federal trial, scheduled to begin on November 29, 2010. After a three week trial, Smith was acquitted of all charges on December 16, 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who has served in the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
from January 8, 2008 to January 10, 2010, where he represented the 31st legislative district. He is the former Acting Mayor of Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and previously served in the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. He did not seek re-election in 2009.
Biography
Smith received a B.S.Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
in Health / Physical Education and an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from New Jersey City University
New Jersey City University
New Jersey City University is a public university in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. It is a member of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities....
in Psychology / Counseling.
Smith served in the Assembly on the Higher Education Committee and the Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.
A three-term Jersey City councilman who spent four years as City Council President, Smith served as Acting Mayor following the death of Mayor Glenn Cunningham
Glenn Cunningham (New Jersey)
Glenn Dale Cunningham was an American Democratic Party politician, who was the first African American Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, the state's second-largest city. Cunningham also served in the New Jersey Senate. After Cunningham's death, L. Harvey Smith became the acting mayor of Jersey City...
in May 2004 until the certification of the results of a special election in November 2004. Smith ran in the special election to fill the remainder of Cunningham's term which expired in July 2005, but lost to Judge Jerramiah T. Healy.
In 2003, Smith ran against Cunningham for a seat in the New Jersey Senate representing parts of Jersey City and all of Bayonne
Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
. While endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, Smith lost in the primary to Cunningham. In October 2003, when State Sen. Joseph Charles
Joseph Charles
Joseph Charles, Jr. is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey Senate from 2002 to 2003, where he represented the 31st legislative district. He had also served in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, the General Assembly, from 1982 to 2002...
resigned early to become a state judge, Smith was selected by Democratic Party leaders to fill the remainder of Charles' Senate term until January 2004. He was sworn into the Senate seat in November 2003.
Smith, a former teacher, was appointed as an Undersheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Hudson County
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
after he left the State Senate. He took a leave as undersheriff to serve as acting mayor and then returned to the post. He did not seek reelection to the City Council in 2005.
In March 2007, Smith announced his campaign in the Democratic Primary for the State Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
on a ticket headed by former Jersey City First Lady Sandra Bolden Cunningham
Sandra Bolden Cunningham
Sandra Bolden Cunningham is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 2007, where she represents the 31st Legislative District. She was sworn into office on November 8, 2007...
. Smith won a spot on the ballot in the June 2007 primary and won an uncontested election in November 2007. Smith served one term in the Assembly as a representative of the 31st legislative district.
On June 8, 2009, Smith introduced a bill into the New Jersey State Assembly that would ban the use of GPS systems in cars. http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2009/nj-a4064.pdf.
Operation Bid Rig
Smith was one of 44 individuals arrested on July 23, 2009, as part of Operation Bid RigOperation Bid Rig
Operation Bid Rig is an ongoing, long-term investigation into political corruption in New Jersey conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey since 2002...
, a joint operation of the FBI, IRS, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey
United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey is the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey. Paul J. Fishman was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney on October 14, 2009 after having been nominated by President Barack Obama. He succeeded Ralph J. Marra, who served as Acting U.S....
into political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
. Smith was charged with accepting $15,000 in bribes in exchange for obtaining approval of building plans.
Despite call for Smith's resignation from Governor Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
and others, Smith has said that he would remain in office. In a letter sent to Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts on August 6, 2009, Smith stated, "I believe that the resignation of my position as assemblyman is inconsistent with the presumption of innocence." Roberts, however, has said that he would suspend Smith's pay and benefits.
On February 9, 2010, Smith was indicted for receiving $15,000 in bribes from a government informant. He pleaded not guilty and planned to use an entrapment
Entrapment
In criminal law, entrapment is conduct by a law enforcement agent inducing a person to commit an offense that the person would otherwise have been unlikely to commit. In many jurisdictions, entrapment is a possible defense against criminal liability...
defense for the federal trial, scheduled to begin on November 29, 2010. After a three week trial, Smith was acquitted of all charges on December 16, 2010.
External links
- Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
- 2007 2008
- Smith & Greene criminal complaint, United States Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
, July 23, 2009