There is considerable buzz among Democrats today is that Assemblyman Joseph Cryan is being confronted with allegations that could derail his election as Democratic State Chairman. Governor Jon Corzine has delayed his pick of Cryan, and early Friday afternoon, several key Democratic leaders were on a conference call discussing Cryan’s political future. “The allegations are false and outrageous,” Cryan told PoliticsNJ.com. Cryan is also the Union Township Democratic Chairman and Union County Undersheriff. His selection as state party chairman had been considered virtually automatic following the election of the current chair, Bonnie Watson Coleman, as Assembly Majority Leader. Democratic sources say that the allegations against Cryan concern a June 201 cash campaign contribution from businessman Carol Segal, who they say has a history of making false claims against public officials. Last year, he claimed that Cryan stole property from him. A tax lien investor, Segal is involved in a real estate development project in Union Township that has faced opposition from the local governing body. Last year, he claimed that Cryan stole property from him. In the late 1990’s, Segal sued a Union Township dry cleaner for ruining his $165 shirt. He later filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Judge who tossed the case.
