Methinks Mayor Sokolich protests way too much! This mayor is only too willing to sell out anybody (including his alleged "best friend" and the people of Fort Lee in his own self-interest. I may be a lifelong Democrat, and a 20-year Fort Lee resident, but this man does not deserve public trust.

Being his business partner and sharing office space, the mayor is probably concerned that the investigation will look into any shared accounts and business doings. At best he was a a pretty lousy judge of character and completely oblivious to wrong doings right in front of his nose. At worst...well, it would be a lot worse.

It is very easy for all of us sitting on the sidelines to pass judgment on another persons actions or motives. It is too early in the investigation for anyone to draw any conclusions regarding the guilt or innocence of his business partner. There is clearly not enough information released to the public at this point for any one of us to play judge and jury Mayor Sokolich’s actions are exactly what any one of us would do in the same situation. As an attorney, Mr. Sokolich knew what he had to do in order to protect a business that he spent years building. He did not abandon/sell out his best friend. More to the point, he most definitely did not sell out Fort Lee. Perhaps, as a community of intelligent people, we should let the investigation continue and let the facts speaks for themselves. We should not speculate or make insinuations about what other people knew or should have known. I did not see anything in the media to indicate that there was any wrong doing right in front of Mayor Sokolich’s nose. It is easy to jump to conclusions and criticize people; especially those in the public eye. There is a quote “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. I believe that we should remember why we re-elected Mayor Sokolich in the first place and remember that before he was Mayor he was a dedicated member of the community. The man does not only deserve our trust, he has earned it through his hard work, dedication, and personal sacrifice.

I have grown up with the folks that are involved and just wanted to wish the family and friends the best as they sort through all of this.

Mr. Jensen..already starting a smear campaign for a relative? Shame on you. What does the borough leaving the state health benefits have to do with this? The cost is not more it is cheaper. Hmmmmm I think you should check your facts before you spew.

Rita ..livery well said.

Not a good friend to the mayor picks on his bank to find a young stooge to facilitate the money laundering.

Hey, let's try really hard and not do what folks in small towns usually do, which is add to the suffering already in play. Let's let the justice system do its work, let's have faith in our leaders, and let's see what plays out in this unfortunate situation....Not a one of you, myself included, has not made a lethal mistake somewhere along the challenging path of life and not thanked God no one saw into us or caught us at it. Be sorry and hope for the best. It's an American way that has too long been laid to rest.

His business law partner, whom he elevated to certain positions within the borough is alleged to be laundering money for drug dealers using a Fort Lee bank that he is a board member of. It seems pretty damn important to question our chief executive's knowledge of this. This isn't just a "whoops" moment. This is corruption by a public official (Macri) using our resources. We should be outraged and demand to know all the facts and if anyone else was involved.

Just another reason why marijuana should be legalized. None of this would have happened - it is not a "dangerous drug," it is already given for medical reasons and there are shops that sell it on every single corner all over California

It infuriates me that people want to play judge and jury with other peoples lives and start rumors and make comments that have no merit and can only smear people and their reputations. Mayor Sokolich has shown over the past 40+ years as a resident of Fort Lee to be a hard working, dedicated and respected man and who has always had the the best interest of Fort Lee and its residents at heart. I know Mayor Sokolich personally and along with countless other people in our community I have received phone calls from him over the years to help raise money for town programs or families in need. We've stood side by side washing cars to raise money for school programs and tsunami victims and to have a few people with nothing better to do then to try and hurt others with their nasty comments is disturbing. People need to take a closer look in the mirror before they judge others and remember that trying to tear people down in times of trouble only makes that person a coward. You should be ashamed of yourselves!!!

Bernie Madoff did a lot of good things too...Pillar of society...great guy...etc. as he ripped everyone blind. Beware of wolves in sheeps clothing.... In the best case scenario, Mr. Macri was not a good friend to the Mayor. In worse scenarios, this puts a spot light on questionable alliances, ethics, morals, and behavior. It's obvious given that these are public officials and that the Mayor is on the board of the bank, no matter how small the role, red flags have gone up and it should be expected that a more thorough investigation into the practices of that bank and its affiliated parties is forthcoming. And nothing anyone says here one way or the other will change the facts.

Simon Hartwell's right, "Wonk, you're an idiot"!! and unbiased your're right, a thorough investigation should be done, but until then people shouldn't judge others.

I am curious why Arther Jensen pointing out things that I was not aware of is a "smear campaign." Mr. Jensen thank you for the information. I for one, plan to ask that very question to find out why we do not purchase insurance from the lowest bidder. Just to put Ms. Flannigan's mind at rest, I don't have any relatives in the race.

Sokolich was not included in any of legal matters,
and Macri is innocent until proven guilty!!!
So just ssstttoooop!
Calling each other names, really? that is what we are reduced to?
The media is being the misdirecting mess it usually is---- headlines get people's attention, and meant to captivate, be smarter than that! The facts are sparse in these articles and more like politicized witch hunt.
Macri has been a good citizen, he is a father, brother, uncle, son and friend--- we should all have enough self respect and empathy to honor those roles and not judge partial fact and innuendos, we don't really know what the truth is! My best wishes and support go to him and his family and friends.

In my limited dealings with Mr. Macri as a prosecutor, he was understanding, professional and a pleasure to deal with. I agree with Tracy, I will support the man and I wish him and his family well.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

I recommend everyone read the recent article in The Bergen Record about municipal insurance costs. Towns that use brokers with no bid contracts are paying excessive amounts. I think Fort Lee residents want an open bidding process , bids should be posted on line, and have the NJ State plans included. No more back room deals, we should see everything. I am sure the Board would agree..

Why did Fort Lee move their banking from Bank of America to Bank of New Jersey?
Was a bidding process used ? Is their a conflict of interest when the Mayor owns a huge stock position ?? Should the New Jersey Banking Commission and other agencys be called in? Lets be fair and open, better days are comming.........

Wow, someone deleted my comments, thats pretty weird too isn't it now.

Isn't it a little odd that so many powerful people from Fort Lee and the surrounding towns are on the board of this mysterious bank. As a 11 year veteran in the banking industry, it really boggles me as to how a bank can raise so much money and grow so much in a period of 6 years. It makes me think that this isn't a bank, but a big money laundering operation. I hope the Feds get their hands on this bank and look into the accounts that this bank holds, they might find a lot more than weed.

He comes from a mob family...chip off the old block.