Secaucus mayor to become 1st elected official arrested in federal corruption sweep to resign

NJ mayor to resign in wake of corruption arrest

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The mayor of Secaucus, N.J., is the first elected official arrested in a federal corruption sweep to say he’ll resign.

Dennis Elwell’s lawyer says his client is stepping down but is not admitting guilt and will defend himself against the allegations. The 64-year-old Elwell has been mayor since 1999.

Elwell was charged last week with accepting $10,000 from a federal informant who claimed he needed help on a building project in Secaucus.

In a statement released Tuesday, attorney Thomas Cammarata says Elwell is resigning in the best interests of his family and the citizens of Secaucus.

Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez and Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III also were arrested last week but say they won’t step down.