Anthony Russo (mayor)

Anthony Russo was the 35th mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, serving from 1993 to 2001. He won two terms, but failed to get enough votes to get a third term. (David Roberts beat him in 2001 when he got 6,064 votes and Russo only got 4,759 votes.)

Biography

In the 1993 election that got him into office, Russo beat his main opponent, Ira Karasick, by 7,023 to 5,623 votes. During his two terms, people who were loyal to Russo were put into every facet of Hoboken's government including the Hoboken Zoning Board and Planning Board by Russo.

Of positive notes, Russo was credited with hiring top flight Municipal directors with the goal of shrinking and eventually eliminating Hoboken's structural budget deficit and expanding the tax base. Investment in Hoboken's housing stock soared under Russo's administration and the long dormant waterfront was built with first class office, hotel and residental space. Part of the Waterfront redevelopment plan included the creation of large waterfront parks, including Pier A and Frank Sinatra Park. This gave Hoboken residents their first public access to the Hudson River waterfront in decades.

In 2000, it was discovered that Russo had cancer, in the form of a brain tumor. He said he would only live another 8 months, but doctors were successful at fighting the cancer temporarily. In March 2000, the tumor was removed, but another tumor was found in August 2001.

Councilman David Roberts was successful in defeating Russo for Mayor in the 2001 election. Roberts was able to capitalize on Russo's illness and a major coalition of Russo foes throughout Hoboken and Hudson county circles. In 2002, the tumor went into remission, and because of this the doctors told Russo he could run for office again. He ran for 3rd Ward Council, but had to tearfully resign shortly after being elected because the cancer reappeared.

After Russo left office, he admitted to accepting thousands of dollars in cash bribes from bar owners and city contractors for nearly his entire tenure as mayor. He was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison. (2004)^[1][2]

References

Further reading