City Council President/Acting Mayor Gary S. Schaer today released the following statement regarding the arrest and indictment of City of Passaic Councilman Gerardo Fernandez by the FBI:

“After all that Passaic has been through over the course of the past year, today’s FBI arrest and indictment of Councilman Gerardo Fernandez is a tremendous disappointment.

“While one is always innocent until proven guilty, the charges against Councilman Fernandez’  place him on a list with former Mayor Rivera and  two other elected officials who have betrayed, or are alleged to have betrayed, the public trust.

“For too long a culture of personal benefit has permeated City Hall.  This is the culture that I have been working hard to wipe clean during the past four months as acting mayor and why I have championed new ethics laws for city workers as well as all elected officials.

“These serious charges against Councilman Fernandez will not undermine my determination to restore honest government in Passaic.  I believe it is in the best interest of Passaic for Councilman Fernandez to resign his elected office immediately in order to help the City move forward.

“Despite these very serious charges and those who put their own interests before those of the residents of Passaic, I remain committed to restoring confidence in our city government and genuine ethics reform.  The residents of our city should expect, and do indeed deserve, better.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)