The mayors of three New Jersey cities, two state legislators and four rabbis were among dozens of people arrested Thursday morning by federal authorities as part of a two-year investigation into corruption, bribery and money-laundering in New Jersey and New York.

Among the 44 people arrested by FBI agents were Democratic Mayors Peter Cammarano of Hoboken, Dennis Elwell of Secaucus and Anthony Suarez of Ridgefield; Republican Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt; and Democratic Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey. Jersey City's deputy mayor, Leona Beldini, and City Council president, Mariano Vega, also were part of the sweep.

A stack of criminal complaints released by the U.S. Attorney's office stated that most of the alleged bribes were related to real estate development deals around New Jersey. The money went, among other things, to ensure zoning law changes and to smooth the way for housing inspections.

Rabbis from Brooklyn, N.Y.; Deal, N.J.; and Elberon, N.J., were also arrested for allegedly laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes through their charitable organizations. The complaints say the men skimmed between 10 percent to 15 percent off the top to put the money through "the washing machine."

All those involved were expected to appear in court later Thursday in Newark, N.J. The U.S. Attorney's office has also scheduled a press conference for noon. The FBI's Newark office has already started processing the defendants, officials there said.

Corruption in NJ? You don't say!

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