Scarpelli's sentencing postponed for 2nd time
U.S. Attorney's Office expected to announce new date this week
BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer
Former Brick Township Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli won't be wearing a jail jumpsuit anytime soon.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark last week postponed Scarpelli's sentencing on corruption charges for the second time, spokesman Michael Drewniak said.

Scarpelli's pre-sentence report has not been completed and no new date has been set, he said.

"We expect to get a new date from the judge [Sept. 11] or shortly thereafter," Drewniak said.

Scarpelli's first sentencing date had been slated for last May 29. The second date had been scheduled for Sept. 7.

Township Council President Stephen C. Acropolis wasn't happy with the news.

"That means the investigation into the corruption in Brick Township is not even close to being over," he said. "That means Joe Scarpelli is continuing to cooperate with the FBI. That may mean there are more things coming down the pike."

Scarpelli admitted in federal court last January to accepting at least $5,000 in bribes from an unnamed developer in Brick and other unnamed locales in Ocean County between 1998 and late 2003.

Federal officials have not disclosed the developer's identity, except to say that the developer's company has done work in Brick and is involved in interstate commerce.

Scarpelli could face up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, he would more likely receive between 24 and 30 months in federal prison, authorities have said.

Mayor Daniel J. Kelly said he was puzzled about why the sentence had been postponed again.

"Obviously somebody is making decisions they are not sharing with us," Kelly said. "I really don't know why they keep postponing it. The man pleaded guilty."

Kelly said he would prefer to have the Scarpelli sentencing "over with."

"People are always going to ask … what did he have in common with myself and the people I'm running with," Kelly said. "And the answer is absolutely nothing."

The latest sentencing postponement means that the Scarpelli matter will likely cloud the November election.

Acropolis, a Republican, is facing Kelly, a Democrat, in the race for Scarpelli's twoyear unexpired term. Kelly was appointed Jan. 4 to fill Scarpelli's term until the November election.

"This election is about corruption," Acropolis said. "It's not about a community center. This is about people telling the truth. Nobody in town wants more lies, misinformation, and developers coming into town and getting special treatment like they have in the past."

Scarpelli submitted his letter of resignation last Dec. 6 and said his last day on the job would be Dec. 8.

Scarpelli pleaded guilty to one count of accepting and agreeing to accept cash payments, in exchange for "official action," according to the U. S. Attorney's Office.

Scarpelli is not the only Brick official whose sentence has been postponed multiple times. Former Public Works Director John H. "Jack" Nydam's sentencing has been postponed five times.

Nydam, who pleaded guilty to official misconduct, theft and witness tampering on April 3, 2006, is continuing to cooperate with the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office. Federal authorities have characterized his cooperation as "substantial."'

Lance Hadley, a local landscaper, pleaded guilty in federal court last month to bribing Nydam with two separate checks of $2,000 each. The bribes resulted in more than $40,000 in no-bid snowplowing contracts, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie has said.