McGreevey Soap Opera Update

Here is the latest in the soap opera regarding soon-to-be-leaving, "Gay American", New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey:

Report: No evidence of extortion in Cipel-McGreevey dealings

October 24, 2004, 6:14 PM EDT

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TRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ A federal investigation has uncovered no evidence that a former aide to Gov. James E. McGreevey tried to extort millions of dollars from him, according to the aide's lawyer and law enforcement officials.

A lawyer representing Golan Cipel, the former state homeland security adviser named by McGreevey associates as the man the governor admitted having an extra-marital affair with, said federal officials told him Cipel and a second lawyer acted properly during talks about a settlement in the weeks before McGreevey announced his resignation on Aug. 12.

"I'm certain there's no chance they would be accused of a crime," attorney Paul Batista told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "As far as my job, I consider my work done."

FBI spokesman Steve Kodak declined to comment Sunday, saying it is an active investigation. But other law enforcement officials familiar with the case told the newspaper that they would not dispute Batista's statements.

A lawyer representing the governor disagreed with Batista's conclusion.

"There's clearly evidence of extortion," said William Lawler. "It's up to the government to evaluate how the evidence fits into a total picture."

FBI agents have yet to speak with Cipel, who is in his native Israel, but plan to meet with him soon, Batista said.

Cipel has denied that he is gay or had an affair with McGreevey, and has claimed that the governor sexually harassed him. He threatened a sexual harassment suit but never filed it.

According to Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, a McGreevey confidant, Cipel's lawyers did not offer facts or proof of damages during the settlement talks, but instead "just wanted money."

"It was extortion thinly disguised as a lawsuit," Lesniak said. "This whole thing is ridiculous."

Officials on both sides told The Inquirer that McGreevey supporters sent people to try and talk to Cipel in the weeks before McGreevey resigned. One of those people was Rabbi Yosef Z. Carlebach, a longtime supporter of the governor who also knew Cipel.

Allen Lowy, the lawyer who handled Cipel's sexual harassment case, said he had specifically asked administration officials that no one contact Cipel. Lawler, meanwhile, denied that Carlebach was sent to try to "talk anybody out of anything."

Through a spokesman, McGreevey declined to discuss the investigation.

"The governor made his statement on Aug. 12," said Micah Rasmussen. "He's focusing on his family and moving on with his life."

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press