>> major funding for "Reporters Roundtable" with David Cruz is provided by RWJBarnabas Health.

Let's be healthy together.

Promotional support provided by New Jersey business magazine.

The magazine of the New Jersey business and industry Association, reporting to executive and legislative leaders in all 21 counties of the Garden State since 1954.

And by Politico's New Jersey playbook.

A topical newsletter on Garden State politics, online at Politico.com/newjerseyplaybook.

♪ ♪ David: the guy behind the guy is heading out the door, what is next for him and for the governor.

Hey, everybody.

It's "Reporters Roundtable."

I'm David Cruz.

The panel is stacked with troublemakers, including Charlie style.

Nikita Biryukov for the New Jersey monitor.

And Briand of Vannozzi, anchor of Spotlight news.

We will hear from the panel in a few minutes, but we begin with the departure announced this week of the longest-serving gubernatorial chief of staff in state history, George Helmick.

He has held the post for five years and his tenure drew praise from both sides of the aisle this week.

Welcome.

>> it is great to be back with you.

David: let's broach the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

As lease it here on Friday morning, the U.S. attorney is ready to hand out indictments against Bob Menendez, the senior senator from the state of New Jersey.

Will comes to your mind when you hear that?

-- what comes to your mind when you hear that?

>> I have only seen the headlines that came across as you and I were getting on.

So I cannot give an opinion on that, but I can tell you having had the privilege of working with Senator Menendez that he has been a champion for New Jersey and New Jerseyans.

I am sure he will have his day in court.

Given our system always presumes innocence.

David: it has got to concerned Democrats, heading into the elections, and even going forward, no?

George: the good news for the fall elections is Democrats across New Jersey, who have worked with Governor Murphy, have a great message to run on, one of affordability, one of for Skate -- fixing our fiscal house, and the tax cuts, including historic property tax relief for New Jersey families commit specifically seniors.

And I think that message will carry no matter what the news of the day is.

David: that is a story that is still developing and we will have more on that here as we go forward.

Let's get to you.

You have a couple years left in the Murphy administration, why now for departure?

George: it is the right time.

As you mentioned, I have served longer than anyone else in the state's history and it is time to move on.

This is an incredible team that will carry on the legacy and see forward our unfinished priorities.

As my boys are getting older, I want to be a little more present in my family.

But I will still manage many of the governor's key relationships, and I look forward to being a supportive part for the governor, and make sure I am available for the team as we continue to push our agenda in Trenton.

David: let me ask you about this Justice Department report.

On homes, it was pretty damning.

Tell us about the investigation the state ordered.

When are we going to see that?

George: I think that the DOJ report shows that we did not live up to the standard that we need to to care for our veterans.

Any human life deserves the best treatment available.

And with a specific focus on those who have served our nation.

Clearly, we did not live up to that standard.

Now, we have post-COVID done a number of things, including getting world-class management into the homes and making the conditions better to improve level of care.

And we continue to look forward to making even more progress.

Just this morning, we were on with key legislators to continue to find ways to improve the adequacy of the care in our homes.

And we are continuing progress there.

David: the DOJ report says it is still a mess over there with some of the same conditions in the report persisting.

But what about the state's internal report or the investigation that the state ordered?

Any timeframe for when we will see that?

George: 15 more seconds on the report, it says it is ongoing.

Since that report, since the last investigation, much has been done under Governor Murphy's leadership and one over the homes got a five star rating.

In regards to the internal investigation, we are just barely on the back end of COVID and I do not think there is a timeframe for the report because the governor wants it to be independent and comprehensible.

David: Rihanna, let's start with you.

Brianna: it is good to see you, George.

Good luck on your next chapter.

I'm curious -- we have done reporting on the judicial nomination process, and having now been on the inside for several years to see how it really works, where would you say the hiccups lie?

We know there is finger-pointing when it comes to how quickly the governor's office gets through to put the nominations up.

Then obviously for the legislature to go through their vetting process.

I'm curious where you see the biggest take-up in -- hiccup?

And whether or not it will linger past the fall elections?

George: it is great to see you as well.

Really important question as we continue to fill the vacancies, to ensure that the judicial system works as efficiently as possible.

I would say quickly that the process is lengthy on purpose.

These folks are appointed to incredibly important positions where they make decisions that impact businesses and families everyday.

So, our process is comprehensive and thoughtful to make sure we are pointing folks live up to the standards we want on the bench.

They have their own process that is equally as vigorous.

So, to we look forward to continuing to working with partners in the Senate to streamline that.

But the process takes a long time.

And I think that the set in which these folks are appointed to warrants that thoughtfulness in the process, and we value and appreciate the courtesy process in the Senate.

David: do you have a question?

>> George, you are someone that lawmakers and staffers credit for smoothing over relationships the administration had with legislative leaders in the first couple years of the governor's tenure.

With you leaving, do you expect old burrs to crop backup?

George: I do not think so, I think the team inside is really an exceptional one that manages a ton of relationships.

I was floored by the incredible comments from members of the assembly on both sides of the aisle, but a lot of that is with the management of the relationships that happens by my team.

I still look forward to supporting the governor and managing key relationships with political allies, and those who do not disagree with us.

We have shown a way of moving forward without being disagreeable and bringing a level of stability back to governing.

David: do you have a pledge in the nose for this guy, Charlie?

Charles: how difficult was it in temporary and the expectations of progressives, especially after you reached the -- with the administration openly clashing, specifically the South Jersey Democrats?

George: thank you for the question.

It is great to see you.

I think we did a good job of staying at the table with folks, explaining the political reality that we could never get 100% of what we wanted, just based on the way the legislative process works.

But also the politics warranted conversations and dialogue.

We fought many fights and we won many, but lost others.

But being at the table, explaining where you are trying to go, led us to success in many instances, including finding a way forward after that difficult year with some of the folks in certain areas of the state.

David: OK, last question before I let you go, George.

What is next for you?

You say you are staying involved with the governor's relationships, but that sounds like a freelance job.

What is your new day job going to be?

George: um, I am still figuring that out.

We are running through the tape here.

As I told you, the background is I am in Jersey City.

The policy conference.

Th governor hase brought this to Jersey City.

I will run through the tape, maybe take a day or two off you to figure out what is next.

When I do, I will make sure you know.

David: OK, it is rare to see a chief of staff get so much bipartisan praise.

George, we appreciate you coming on with us.

Good luck.

George: I appreciate you and I am so thankful for all of you.

We do not always agree, but the profession you are in is essential to our democracy, and I would be remiss if I did not say how grateful I am for all of you and your comments.

David: fair enough.

Panel, Charlie, Briana, Nikita -- this Senator Menendez news is just breaking, but what comes to your mind when you hear about the senior senator from New Jersey having gold bars and cash in pockets in his home?

Charles: um, it is stunning.

Um, and it is part of a pretty colorful tawdry lore that has surrounded this senator from the beginning.

I think that a lot of Democrats, they will not shrug this time.

I think there will be worry and a sense of fatigue that we are going to go through this again.

And I struggle to see whether the unified support that has always been there for Senator Menendez is going to hold.

David: he is like the cat with a nine political lives, but gold bars for him and the Mrs, oh.

Do you think this has potential to stick?

Briana: it is stuff you cannot make up about politicians in New Jersey.

The allegations are obviously broad.

And I think the tricky thing here is that, just like we saw six years ago in the case of the Florida eye doctor for whom Senator Menendez was accused of similar type actions, accepting gifts in exchange for using his power and influence -- these are tough things to prove.

You have to prove an official act was taken in exchange for using that influence.

Like we saw -- I feel like it was just yesterday that we were all covering of trial, which gives us chills that we are back here again, but that was really difficult for them to prove.

Of course, it ended in a mistrial.

So, not necessarily vindicated, but of course the senator went on to win reelection.

Of course, he is going to be running again.

So these are tough charges to prove, and I imagine with a year-long investigation, having gone through that already, the district attorney in New York is obviously gathering quite a few witnesses, which is what we have been hearing on background.

David: Nikita, were you reading some of the indictment this morning?

Did anything wacky jump out at you?

Was I right that there was cash in pockets?

Briana: somebody talked to David about the gold bars.

I do not have many details, but I know that that is the thing that grabs you, right?

Nikita: I cannot speak to the providence of the gold bars, but according to the indictment they found about half $1 million stowed away in his house.

Some of it was in jackets in his closet, that sort of thing.

The charges, I apologize because the indictment came out briefly before the show, so I have not gotten all the way through it but I believe they were allegedly paid with a luxury car, at some point.

It seems like there is wide ranging accusations.

Briana: the list of characters that you have to follow.

I interviewed a couple of colleagues at the record, who did a bang up job putting together and creating the web that is this case.

The number of characters involved and the accusations around it, using influence to get a halal meat business, the only certification through Egypt to be able to export halal meat.

You have a developer who is a bigwig in terms of the area that Senator Menendez, those were his stomping grounds.

And you have a number of other folks who are quite wealthy, who certainly they run in similar circles, and they are all from that area, Hudson County area, that Menendez was brought up in.

Keeping track of the number of folks who feed into this indictment is also kind of tricky.

And so, I am curious to read through the rest of the charges.

We have not had a teens to do that yet.

And to see if there are any other folks we have not already heard about, included.

David: Charlie, this reminds me of finding, the allegation anyway, of finding stacks of cash in jackets that had the senator's name on it -- it reminds me of Bob, an account executive, who evidently had money in the refrigerator and under the floorboards.

This is classic Hudson County, no?

Charles: yeah.

As I said before, it is like that lore, not only of Menendez but the culture he comes from in Hudson County.

One thing I will say about it is that, you know, Menendez -- he will fight to the death.

He will not go down easy.

And one thing -- you know, the Supreme Court has narrowed the definition of bribery, has made the bar much higher to make these cases.

On the other hand, I think the obviously the U.S. attorney's office in New York understands that.

And knows the rules.

And they know that if they are going to take another swipe at Menendez, they better have everything.

So, we will have to see.

David: let's switch gears.

Obviously, this story is still developing and we will have more on NJ Spotlight news.

Switching gears, Nikita, you had a piece in the Daniels law case in New Brunswick.

Give us a quick update.

Nikita: this centers around the leader of a local paper called New Brunswick today.

The police director happens to live some two hours away from the Middlesex County city.

And Charlie asked that Daniels law, a state law enacted after the attempted assassination of Esther Salas, a federal judge, that ended with her son dead, bars the information coming out of officials.

And this man was seeking to have some temporary or limits imposed onto Daniel's law, so he would not face criminal or civil charges for noting that the police director happens to live some time away from the city.

David: it did not give an address, right?

Nikita: I think he presented a piece of paper or documents that had his address to the city Council, but it was never published.

But anyway, yesterday the judge found that Daniel's lot is enough tailored to meet its purpose and not be unconstitutional by infringing upon freedom of speech.

But the plaintiffs had already appealed, so the case will continue to move forward.

David: an important case.

Let's talk about Tom Keene Junior, he has House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in for a barbecue this week.

We are not invited.

But everybody is talking about his stock portfolio.

Is it right that he just did which he criticized Tomball and ask you for doing -- Tom Ballin ASCII for doing?

Charles: it is clearly a level of epoxy -- level of hypocrisy now.

I do not think that these charges are the same thing, but they were so over-the-top with their outrage about Tom, that there is an element of hypocrisy.

It's a question you cannot avoid beard Briana: I agree -- avoid.

Briana: I agree about the hypocritical nature of it all.

A little nuance.

Much like Tom's situation, this was a family trust that his father, the former governor, put together.

So, he had no control over thoses stock trades.

If anything, this is -- has taught me how little control these folks have over their money and how much trading they are doing.

You will remember Tom Malinowski petitioned to make sure that folks were putting their money into a blind trust, which is what he ultimately did.

David: almost all of the mayors in Hudson County want Jim McGreevey to succeed Steve Philip as mayor of Jersey City, even though it is two years away, that race.

You spent years in Hudson County, does that mean Jim McGreevey, all voting aside?

Briana: usually when that Democratic organization makes a choice, that is what we see happening.

We did a lengthy piece on it this week for the newscast.

And everybody is backing Jim McGreevey, but he has not actually said anything about running.

And, mind you that there are other folks, like James Solomon, who is a councilman.

And bill owed a, he is also running for mayor.

And there are other folks who are frustrated with the process, saying it is the voters' decision.

They should be putting these folks forward, not a party machine making that choice.

So, yeah -- when you have that County line, and we have talked about this hundreds of times, and you have the money.

And the mechanics of the machine behind you, that is a pretty formidable battle for anyone else.

Again, we have yet to hear from Jim McGreevey.

It is just interesting that the current city mayor is already seeking the gubernatorial nomination.

So, it would be sort of ironic if a former governor then takes the seats of the Jersey City Mayor.

A little bit of a swap.

David: P.S.

to that question of Jim McGreevey and full, they used to be buddies.

We spoke on Chat Box this week and he said that they had talked recently and there was a thaw in the coolness of the relationship, which I thought was pretty significant to hear from Steve.

Nikita, you had a piece on prospects moving on electric vehicles.

Not so much, right?

Nikita: it has gotten a mixed reception so far.

You are talking about the advanced cars initiative, which would phase down the number of internal combustion engine cars on sale.

By 2035, that number will be brought down to zero.

Obviously environmentalists think it will be great for the environment.

They say that these cars are cheaper to own than gas burning counterparts, but other folks, like the fossil fuel lobbyists, they say we do not have the infrastructure.

We are not ready.

Even car manufacturers are saying the Chargers are not there.

But it is moving along.

A couple of other states have done this and I imagine New Jersey is probably going to follow suit, just based on how the process has gone so far.

David: OK, as we go towards the finish line here, the fall elections -- that is the next election we will have to be reporting on.

Charlie, what should people be looking for in the fall elections?

Charles: I think that you are going to see an attempt by Republicans, who -- to kind of take advantage of issues, such as concerns over LGBTQ curriculum, sex education curriculum, whales, and as just mentioned, the pushback on electric vehicles.

And I think that will be -- Briana: and gas stoves.

Charles: thank you.

You put it all into one combustible, you know, mix and it is -- they think that that can form a backlash.

I think the Democrats will reprise the issue of abortion as a signifier of extremism.

And they are going to try to muzzle any kind of discontent with generous rebates with checks coming out before the election.

Into our bank accounts.

David: how much is Menendez going to be part of this?

Briana: he already has a challenger, the former mayor of Mendham.

David: do you think that Republicans will make hay out of the indictments?

Briana: if they were at the top of the ticket I would say may be, but generally I do not think it will have much of an effect on local legislators.

David: that is roundtable for this week.

It's good to see you all.

Thanks to Georgia for joining us.

Follow the show on twitter or X.

And get more exclusive content, including full episodes, when you scan the QR code.

I'm David Cruz.

Thanks for watching.

We will see you next week.

>> major funding is provided by RWJBarnabas Health.

Let's be healthy together.

Promotional support provided by New Jersey business magazine.

The magazine of the New Jersey business and industry Association, reporting to executive and legislative leaders in all 21 counties of the Garden State since 1954.

And by Politico's New Jersey Playbook.

A topical newsletter on Garden State politics, online at Politico.com.

♪