N.J. attorney-general nominee sails through hearing

Jeffrey S. Chiesa, a longtime colleague and confidante of Gov. Christie, eased through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning on his way to being confirmed as New Jersey's top law enforcement officer.

Chiesa, who was unanimously approved by the committee for confirmation as attorney general, is to face a full Senate vote Monday. Last month, Christie appointed Chiesa as acting attorney general to replace Paula Dow, who is headed to a judgeship.

The senators at Thursday's hearing asked a few questions but mostly praised Chiesa as fair, intellectual, and apolitical. As Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R., Passaic) said, "No one hates you, which is shocking."

Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D., Union) said, "People have always said how lucky Jeff was to meet Gov. Christie early on in his career . . . but I've always been of the opinion that the governor was lucky to meet Jeff, to have an individual of his intellect and compassion, but as well in his devotion to his principles."

Chiesa (pronounced KEE-ay-sa) faced no questions about the significant spike in crime in Camden following police layoffs last January. Dow sent state troopers into the city last month to stem the crime wave, but they have since left, according to a law enforcement source.

Chiesa, 46, got his start early. An intern in the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office who became a law clerk in the county's courts after law school, Chiesa was in private practice alongside Christie at Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci. He became a federal prosecutor under then-U.S. Attorney Christie, making his name by handling public corruption, including the prosecution of former Senate President John Lynch.

In the governor's office, Chiesa served as Christie's chief counsel, giving legal backing to Christie's legislative pursuits and presiding as a member of the gubernatorial inner circle.

Chiesa's move comes as part of a significant reshuffling of the governor's cabinet midway through the term, with chief of staff Richard Bagger leaving for the private sector and deputy chief counsel Kevin O'Dowd taking his place. Director of Homeland Security and Preparedness Charles McKenna, another alumnus from the U.S. Attorney's Office, takes Chiesa's place as chief counsel.

As attorney general, Chiesa would oversee the state police, county prosecutors, Atlantic City gaming regulators, the juvenile-justice system, and other elements of the state's law enforcement apparatus.

"We cannot tolerate our cities being infiltrated by gangs and drug dealers, creating an environment in which hope is replaced by despair," Chiesa said at the hearing.

"I will do my best to allocate our law enforcement resources so we are best positioned to serve the public."