Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone (D-Bayonne), who is under indictment for allegedly funneling aides’ paychecks into his personal and campaign accounts, is considering a run for mayor of Bayonne, The Jersey Journal reports.
“It is something I have considered for some time, and is an option and a possibility that I am evaluating,” Chiappone told the paper.
Despite his indictment in August, Chiappone, 52, was easily reelected to the assembly in November, in a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans eight-to-one. But though he still has a vote in the assembly, he remains stripped of his committee assignments and compensation, including his assembly salary and benefits.
Bayonne, where Chiappone served on the city council between 1998 and 2009, will hold its municipal election in May. The current mayor is Mark Smith. The paper reported that Councilman Gary LaPelusa has picked up petitions to run.
