Hopewell Township committeeman issues public apology for e-mail claim.
By: John Tredrea
In a written statement issued Thursday, beleaguered Hopewell Township Committeeman Jon Edwards admitted allegations he made about Sam Plumeri and Josh Markowitz in a controversial January e-mail "were untrue." Mr. Edwards added in the statement: "I apologize to both men unconditionally."
The e-mail, which Mr. Edwards sent to members of the Mercer County and Hopewell Township Democratic organizations, has engulfed township government in controversy since it became public knowledge two months ago. In the e-mail, Mr. Edwards said Mr. Plumeri had told Mr. Edwards in November 2001 that the county Democratic organization would funnel $10,000 from Mr. Markowitz, a Princeton attorney, to the township Democratic organization if Mr. Markowitz were hired as township attorney. Mr. Plumeri was chairman of the county Democratic organization at the time.
"I am very glad and relieved Jon has issued the retraction, so we can put this silliness behind us and get on with the business of Hopewell Township," township Mayor Francesca Bartlett said this morning (Friday).
Ms. Bartlett said Township Attorney Edwin Schmierer faxed Mr. Edwards’ retraction to attorney John Furlong, representing Mr. Markowitz, at 2:35 p.m. Thursday. That was 25 minutes before the deadline reportedly set by Mr. Furlong, who said Mr. Edwards would be sued for libel by Mr. Markowitz if he did not submit the signed retraction by 3 p.m.
On Tuesday, county Prosecutor Daniel J. Giaquinto said an intensive investigation by his office had "affirmatively cleared" both Mr. Plumeri and Mr. Markowitz of the allegations in the Edwards e-mail. Mr. Giaquinto said his office had found "entirely credible" the "adamant denials" of Mr. Plumeri and Mr. Markowitz that they had conspired to land Mr. Markowitz the job of township attorney via a $10,000 bribe.
In his statement, which was published as a letter to the editor in The Times of Trenton today, Mr. Edwards said: "While it is true I spoke to Sam Plumeri Jr. when he was Mercer County Party Democratic chairman, it is not true that he offered me money, either directly or indirectly, in exchange for appointment of Josh Markowitz as township attorney. At no time in my conversations has he offered me or the Hopewell Township Democratic organization a financial contribution in exchange for a specific personnel or professional appointment."
Mr. Edwards would not elaborate on his written statement. Asked to do so by the HVN after the Township Committee adjourned late Thursday night, he said only: "On the advice of counsel, I have no comment."
In his written statement, Mr. Edwards said: "With specific reference to Josh Markowitz, I have no knowledge of his professional ability. I am informed he is a lawyer of the highest professional integrity, and I regret any damage to that reputation I may have caused."
Mr. Edwards added: "With specific reference to Sam Plumeri, I regret any statement I attributed to him which in any way suggested he made an inappropriate offer. Sam is a man of the highest integrity and his reputation should not have been impugned by my inaccurate recollection and reckless publication of our conversation."
Mr. Edwards said it was "his sincerest hope" that his written statement will "make right what I have made wrong."

