Already under state and federal investigations, Senator Wayne Bryant (D-NJ) now faces a state ethics probe for his relationship with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).
The state and federal probes revolve around accusations Bryant accepted a no-show job at UMDNJ in return for millions in funding. The state ethics committee voted unanimously Monday to start an investigation into those same accusations. Bryant?s attorney told him not to speak to the committee and has urged its members to wait until the state and federal investigations are over.
Committee members say they would like to hear Bryant?s testimony, but can move forward without him. Judge Herbert Friend says he would rather not force Bryant to give testimony. Many members do not want to hurt the senator?s chances for a fair trial if the criminal probes go that far.