In July 2005, federal officials found 30 young Hispanic woman – some as young as 14 – in conditions described as “trapped in a slavery ring, raped and forced to undergo abortions by their captors.”
U.S. Attorney Chris Christie loudly condemned the operators of this human trafficking ring. At a news conference, he told reporters: “There can be no greater disregard for life than the way these women were treated and what they were forced to do to their own bodies. In essence, these women were kept as slaves.” Christie said that “some of the women were raped by ring members” and later “forced to have abortions so they could keep working.”
Chris Christie, himself, identified the ring’s leader, telling reporters “These women were kept as slaves, forced to work in her establishments.” The “ring leader” owned the three bars and two apartment buildings at which the girls worked and were kept, “five or six to a room.” One of the trafficked women gave birth to a baby in one of those rooms. The media reported that “her newborn died hours later after her captors allegedly tried to stuff the baby down the toilet.”
The “ring leader” was charged by Christie’s office with 31-counts, including human trafficking and immigration charges. She faced up to 20 years in prison on one count alone and if convicted on all counts up to 250 years, according to newspaper reports. There was every indication that this woman was going to be put away for a long time. Five months after her arrest, Christie told reporters: “Human trafficking, to me, is one of the most horrible things that can happen, one of the most anti-American things that can happen.” Bravo!!!
So how did this story end?
Chris Christie was building a record of political convictions, and the “ring leader” had given cash gifts to a local mayor in return for having her paperwork expedited and other favorable treatment at town hall.
A plea deal was negotiated with Christie’s office. The “ring leader” testified against the mayor. Most of the charges against her were dropped and she received no jail time for her crimes. She was ordered to pay the more than $500,000 she owed in back taxes on profits from her operation.
The mayor, who had received a few thousand dollars in gifts, was sentenced to more than 4 years in prison.
http://www.politickernj.com/humorme/27845/will-case-come-back-haunt-christie