(01/26/06) JERSEY CITY ? Hudson County leaders are suing former county officials found guilty of handing out crooked contracts.

Current Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise says he wants those responsible for corruption to pay lost money back to the county. In addition to officials, leaders are also going after the contractors who received illegal contracts. Former County Executive Robert Janiszewski, former Freeholder Nidia Colon and former Freeholder Wiliam Braker are among those being sued by the county.

The largest illegal contract known to authorities, totaling $7 million, was given to Hudson County Psychiatric Services. The owner of that company is also getting hit with a lawsuit.