New York Post
April 28, 2005
JOHN P. MARTIN AND TOM FEENEY
April 28, 2005 -- TRENTON, N.J. — Amid conflict-of-interest
allegations, former Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned yesterday
from the law firm that hired him last year after he left office
over a homosexual affair.
The allegations involve McGreevey's legal work on behalf of
companies his administration selected two years ago to develop
a $1.3 billion entertainment and retail complex.
In a statement announcing his resignation from the firm of
state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, McGreevey thanked Lesniak for
his "friendship and support" during "a very
difficult period in my life."
"It is clear, however, that my work with Weiner Lesniak
has created distractions," the statement said.
"As such, I have informed Sen. Lesniak of my decision
to leave Weiner Lesniak effective immediately."
McGreevey's work involved the Virginia-based Mills Corp. and
its partner, Mack Cali Realty of Cranford, which were chosen
by his administration to develop the Xanadu project at the
Meadowlands sports complex.
State employees are barred from doing business related to
their work with New Jersey for a year, but there is no such
restriction on former governors.
Gov. Richard Codey directed his legal counsel to review and
possibly make changes to the state's ethics guidelines as
they apply to the executive branch.
In a statement acknowledging McGreevey's resignation, Lesniak
denied that McGreevey's work was a conflict of interest, citing
the current exemption for governors.
