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The Campaign to Silence a Truth-Teller: How Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack is Targeting Investigative Journalist Leroy Truth – The political attack campaign revealed against an investigative journalist.

Published

12 months ago

on

Union City, NJ

In the tangled world of New Jersey politics, few names strike more fear into the heart of corruption than Leroy Truth — and no political figure has been more desperate or ruthless to stop him than Brian Stack, the embattled Mayor of Union City, State Senator for New Jersey’s 33rd District, and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

For more than 17 months, Leroy Truth has waged an unprecedented grassroots investigation into Hudson County’s murky political machine. In return, he has been the relentless target of a vicious, multimillion-dollar campaign of harassment, violence, defamation, censorship, and retaliation orchestrated by Stack and his powerful network of political enablers.

But the attacks have only made him stronger.

Wherever Leroy walks — in Union City, West New York, Jersey City, and beyond — people recognize him, call out his name, and urge him to never give up. Even U.S. Congressman Rob Menendez — son of disgraced former Senator Bob Menendez — publicly acknowledged Leroy by name at a recent event, proof that Leroy’s fight has become impossible for the political establishment to ignore.

A Voice for the Voiceless: The Arrival of Leroy Truth

Leroy Truth first became active in Union City on December 1st, 2023, when he was invited to Union City, New Jersey City Hall by GOOD GUY ACTIVISM to accompany him on a first amendment audit of Union City, New Jersey City Hall.

This was a simple act they would forever change the course of New Jersey political history.

Leroy Truth and GOOD GUY ACTIVISM did a first amendment audit at Union City City Hall. Someone called 911 on a man with a camera as is Leroy Truth toured the run down and decrepit City Hall building.

A detective named Detective George Haber was called on Leroy Truth and instead of unlawfully arresting or trying to get Leroy Truth to leave city hall, he blatantly, openly and clearly told Leroy Truth and the city workers who were trying to stop Truth, that he had a right to be in City Hall which is a public building AND he had a right to document his interactions as he was recording on his cell phone.

The response was immediate:

Within 24 hours, Leroy was contacted by whistleblowers — citizens, municipal employees, and law enforcement officers — reporting:

That detective George Haber was immediately retaliated against by Mayor Brian Stack for not arresting Leroy Truth or removing him from City Hall even though Leroy Truth had an absolute first amendment right to be there as well as record and document his interactions

Political intimidation and retaliation against city workers Pay-to-play schemes targeting businesses Punishment of police officers and officials who refused to carry out corrupt orders Coverups of sexual assault and harassment, with retaliation against victims.

The shocking allegations inspired Leroy to relentlessly expand his investigation into the broader corruption, abuse of power, and retaliation entrenched within Union City’s government — placing him directly at odds with Brian Stack’s powerful machine.

Unlike establishment journalists who often trade silence for access, Leroy chose to:

Investigate aggressively. Speak openly and Challenge powerful figures fearlessly.

Covering topics such as:

Misuse of public funds.

Political retaliation against Union City municipal employees.

Conflicts of interest involving city contracts.

Union City Board of Education scandals tied to political patronage.

Allegations of teachers having sex with students and cover-up when that gets out to the general public.

Teachers sexually harassing and sexually assaulting students and cover-ups by mayor Bryan Stack and the Union City Board of Education when that is discovered.

Voter intimidation allegedly done directly by Mayor and New Jersey State Senator and Head of the New Jersey State Senate judiciary committee Brian stack too his Union City, city employees

Sexual assaults and Sexual harassment cover-ups of Union City female employees by Mail Union City employees.

It did not take long for Mayor Brian Stack to retaliate against Leroy Truth in an attempt to get Leroy Truth to stop investigating and exposing the extreme amount of alleged corruption of Mayor and Senator Brian Stack.

The Pattern of Attacks: Bribery, Smears, Censorship, and Violence

The retaliation began quietly:

Bribery.

Members of Stack’s circle allegedly approached Leroy offering money if he would abandon his investigation.

Leroy refused.

When bribery failed, the attacks escalated:

Smear campaigns launched through Mayor Brian Stack friendly media like the HudPost, a so-called news outlet CONFIRMED by New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) reports to be directly funded by Stack’s political committee, Union City First.

Disinformation campaigns online, with anonymous accounts blatantly lying about Leroy Truth and attempting to attack Leroy’s credibility and distorting his investigations.

Business sabotage, targeting Leroy’s clients to attempt cripple his livelihood.

Media censorship, with publications like the New Jersey Globe — owned by a former political operative implicated in the Governor Chris ChristieBridgegate scandal — refusing to report fairly on Stack’s corruption or Leroy Truth’s exposure of that corruption.

The very media that is supposed to serve the public interest became tools to protect the political elite and stack weaponized them to attempt to take out the messenger of the exposure of Mayor Brian Stack’s corruption.

The Bella Vista Assault: January 23, 2024

The first major physical attack came during Leroy’s attendance at a Union City Board of Commissioners meeting at Bella Vista Apartments.

After Leroy raised uncomfortable questions about city corruption, eyewitnesses and three separate security cameras captured the shocking retaliation you took place after that meeting.

Justin Mercado, Union City Board of Education Secretary and longtime Stack loyalist and enforcer, allegedly on Mayor Brian Stack’s direction, violently attacked Leroy a few minutes after Leroy spoke at the Union City, N ew Jersey Board of commissioners meeting.

Mercado ripped Leroy’s $1,200 phone from his hands, tried to punch him twice and attempted to destroy the evidence by slamming and stomping on the device.

Mercado even proudly waved the stolen phone in Stack’s face, showing Stack that he had indeed stolen Leroy Truth’s phone from from him with Stack standing motionless.

Mercado was allowed to flee the scene of the crime by Mayor Brian Stack before police could arrive and arrest Justin Mercado .

And then in an explicable decision that was allegedly directed and ordered by Senator and Mayor Brian Stack to New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, despite incontrovertible video evidence showing that in fact Justin Mercado did attack and rob Leroy Truth, Attorney General Matt Platkin, allegedly acting under Stack’s influence, outrageously claimed there was “no probable cause” to prosecute Mercado — a move widely seen by legal experts as blatant political protectionism and blatant corruption by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.

This exposed Stack’s deep control over:

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez (a former Stack employee and rumored former romantic partner)

The Parade Meltdown: March 2024

During New Jersey’s largest Hispanic Parade in October 2024, Leroy and his colleague Full Court Press were approved participants who had their own billboard truck and who marched in the parade.

Upon seeing Leroy Truth in the parade, Stack had the parade stopped to a complete halt and attempted to get Union City Police to remove Leroy, AND Stack had a public meltdown.

The Union City, New Jersey police refused to remove Leroy Truth, respecting Leroy’s legal right to march as it was a private parade and had nothing to do with Union City government or mayor and state Senator Brian stack.

Leroy completed the parade proudly, cheered on by the community, while Stack stood seething and humiliated — another blow to his crumbling authority and corrupt political empire.

Attacks on Faith: January 26, 2025

In another shocking violation, Leroy was ripped from a church pew while peacefully praying at Monumental Baptist Church.

Why? Because New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, disgraced ex-New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevy and Senator and Mayor Brian Stack did not want Leroy Truth to attend a worship service that they were not only attending but New Jersey governor Phil Murphy was going to be inexplicably and blatantly politically formally endorsing disgraced ex-New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevy in the middle of a formal worship service.

Inside sources claimed New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy panicked when he saw Leroy Truth in the church pews and claimed he was on a tight schedule and when he saw that Leroy was present at the service and allegedly was terrified that Leroy Truth would disrupt the church service , so governor Murphy allegedly decided to preemptively and illegally allegedly demanded that the church pastor have Leroy Truth immediately removed by Jersey City, New Jersey police which they did while Leroy Truth was sitting in a church pew praying quietly.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, disgraced ex-governor Jim McGreevy and Senator Mayor Brian stack did not want Leroy Truth in the church service even though a Governor, a Senator or any political figure has absolutely no authority to tell a church who can or cannot attend.

That is an absolute and blatant violation of the first amendment of the constitution.

Leroy Truth’s violent removal by Jersey City, New Jersey police on the order of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Jim McGreevy and Senator and Mayor Brian Stack was a major and complete violation of not only Leroy Truth’s constitutional and civil rights but his human rights as well.

Truth has filed a major lawsuit against them.

There was also no trespassing warning. No legal justification. No arrest. The government determined they didn’t want Leroy Truth at the Monumental Baptist Church of Jersey City, New Jersey worship service so they made sure the police removed him with no justification whatsoever.

This was a blatant example of unconstitutional abuse of police power,

The local propaganda media outlet of Senator Mayor Brian Stack had HudPost immediately do a major hit-piece on Leroy Truth which blatantly and clearly lied and distorted what actually happened in Monumental Baptist Church in an attempt to hurt Leroy’s credibility. Thier attempt as usual did not work. 

Assault in the New Jersey State Senate: February 20th, 2025

During a New Jersey Senate Judiciary hearing, Leroy was violently removed by New Jersey State police on the orders of Senator and Mayor Brian Stack while speaking out against political corruption during the public time while Leroy Truth was seated at a desk peacefully speaking about a New Jersey Senate bill number 4142 at Leroy and numerous people were speaking out against— resulting in injuries and hospitalization.

Why was Leroy Truth removed and injured while he was speaking during his public comment time at the New Jersey Senate hearing?

Senator and Mayor Brian Stack didn’t like the words Leroy Truth was speaking about the bill and for also calling out Senator and Mayor Brian Stacks’s corruption while Leroy was speaking even though of course Leroy’s speech was 100% protected by the first amendment.

Sources says the aggressive and violent removal of Leroy Truth while he was speaking during the public speaking time was a premeditated preplanned act allegedly orchestrated by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey State Senator Brian Stack and some of the New Jersey State police who allegedly colluded before that Senate judiciary hearing and formulated that plan in an attempt to send Leroy Truth a message in the hopes of intimidating him into stopping his continued investigation and exposure of Senator and Mayor Brian Stacks’ extreme corruption.

Stack’s retaliation had crossed every imaginable line:

From political censorship to attacks on religious freedom to physical violence in the very halls of government.

Growing Isolation: Stack’s Political Collapse

As Leroy’s investigations gained traction, major political figures broke ranks with Stack:

Former State Senator and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco condemned Stack’s power consolidation, warning it leads to abuse.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a gubernatorial candidate, attacked Stack’s paranoia and retaliation tactics, calling him a “liability to the Democratic Party.”

Even as Stack tries to maintain his crumbling empire, insiders know his days of unchallenged power are ending.

Personal Sacrifices: The High Cost of Truth

Leroy has endured:

Over 41 physical attacks.

Unlawful arrest for speaking words Senator and Mayor Brian Stack didn’t like during a Union City, New Jersey board of commissioners meeting.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: call charges against Leroy Truth for the unlawful arrest were dropped in court and Leroy Truth has a major lawsuit against Union City, New Jersey, Mayor Brian stack, Union City Police Department and more.

Broken videography equipment.

Character assassination.

Multiple Bogus criminal charges allegedly directed by Stack and Union City Police Chief Anthony Facchini.

Attempted Financial sabotage of Leroy Truth’s businesses.

Despite more than $2 million allegedly spent and nine private investigators hired to surveill, tail and do a deep dive into Leroy’s personal life in an attempt to find dirt on and ideally be able to blackmail Leroy into stopping him from investigating and exposing stack, instead they found nothing.

The Mountain of Corruption Leroy Has Exposed

Since December 2023, Leroy has uncovered over 3500 allegations of corruption against Senator and Mayor Brian Stack including: 

Bribery and extortion.

Voter intimidation.

Sexual assault and harassment cover-ups.

Retaliation against Union City, New Jersey female city employees who go to the police after they claim and been sexually assaulted while they were working.

Coercion of public employees.

Misuse of public funds.

Obstruction of justice.

Illegal arrests and religious discrimination to name a few.

Leroy Truth has pulled back the curtain of corruption on major New Jersey political figures like:

– Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez

– NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin

– Former Governor Jim McGreevey

– Hudson County Executive Craig Guy

– Former US Senator Bob Menendez

– Mayor of Bayonne and Hudson County Sheriff candidate and alleged Sexter and sexual harasser of women Jimmy Davis

– Former Congressman and West New York Mayor Albio Sires.

– NJ/NY Port Authority Chairman, former State Senator, attorney Kevin O’Toole (Partner of O’Toole Scrivo Law LLC, law firm for Union City)

Union City attorney and Senator Bob and his best friend Donald Scarinsci

– And many others…

A New Kind of Journalism: Unbought and Unbowed

With over 7.5 million YouTube views, Leroy Truth is redefining journalism:

Fearless. Independent. Outcome-driven Incorruptible.

He speaks for the voiceless — exposing the powerful — and refusing to back down.

Conclusion: The Machine is Vulnerable

The relentless campaign senator and Mayor Brite and the New Jersey corrupt political machine has been doing against Leroy is not a sign of strength — it’s a sign of desperation.

When one American with a camera and courage can cause an entire state political empire to mobilize police departments, weaponize courts, corrupt the media and still fail — it proves the truth is winning.

The machine is cracking.

The people are awake.

And Leroy Truth — armed only with conscience, conviction and relentless, fearless determination — is leading the charge to build a better New Jersey.

#LeroyTruth #ExposeCorruption #BrianStackMustGo #UnionCity #HudsonCounty #NewJerseyPolitics #InvestigativeJournalism #JusticeForWomen #FirstAmendment #NeverBackDown

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Breaking News

Fatal Fire in Union City Under Investigation by Authorities

Published

3 days ago

on

April 19, 2026

By

A fatal fire in Union City is currently under investigation by multiple agencies, according to an official statement released by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello confirmed that the incident occurred on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, and the Union City Police Department.

Authorities reported that at approximately 3:45 p.m., Union City police were notified of a fire near Bergen Turnpike and 38th Street. Upon arrival, first responders found an active fire affecting multiple structures, specifically 3808 through 3812 Bergen Turnpike.

During firefighting operations, responders discovered a deceased individual inside a residence at 3808 Bergen Turnpike. The victim has been tentatively identified as a 74-year-old woman. Officials have not yet released her identity pending further confirmation.

The fire also displaced a total of 22 residents, highlighting the broader impact of the incident on the surrounding community.

Union City EMS and North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue were the first units to arrive on scene following the initial working fire notification.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined whether the incident was accidental or intentional. Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Breaking News

Charges Against “Leroy Truth” Dismissed in Secaucus Court — Another Embarrassing Loss for Union City Police..AGAIN

Published

3 weeks ago

on

April 1, 2026

By

SECAUCUS, NJ — In another courtroom defeat, all charges against investigative journalist Leonard “Leroy Truth” Filipowski have been dismissed by the Secaucus Municipal Court.

The charges — filed after incidents tied to Union City public meetings — included:

Disrupting a public meeting Defiant trespass Disorderly conduct

Every single charge is now gone.

⚖️ Another Case Falls Apart

This wasn’t just one case.

Charges brought forward by Officer Ivis Arias and Sgt. Jasen Bellamy have now both been dismissed, continuing a pattern where cases against Leroy Truth fail to hold up in court.

This isn’t random.

Multiple cases tied to his activism and reporting have reportedly ended the same way — dismissed or dropped. While a full official count of outcomes isn’t independently confirmed in one place, the repeated results are hard to ignore.

👉 At some point, it stops looking like coincidence.

The Secaucus Municipal Prosecutor commented during the court hearing stating that “we must stop trying to chill free speech with these charges”, as charges were being dismissed.

🚨 Officer Arias and Sgt. Bellamy Under Fire

This case puts a spotlight directly on Officer I. Arias and Sgt. Jasen Bellamy, whose charges ultimately collapsed in court.

Critics are now raising serious concerns about both officers, particularly when one is a supervisor, especially when it comes to:

– Understanding basic constitutional rights

– Proper handling of public meetings

– Knowing the limits of police authority in First Amendment settings

Let’s break it down simply:

– Police cannot remove someone just for speaking out.

– They cannot stretch disorderly conduct laws to cover criticism

– They cannot use trespass charges to bypass constitutional protections

Those are not advanced legal concepts — those are fundamentals.

👉 When both officers’ cases get dismissed, the question becomes unavoidable:

Were these arrests based on law — or poor judgment? Do these officers actually understand the law they were enforcing or were they enforcing their feelings?

Officer Arias is also the mistress of Captain Omar Hernandez, who ordered the first arrest of Leroy Truth for “disrespecting the commissioners” in a public commissioners meeting. Another charge that has been previously dismissed on constitutional grounds.

⚠️ Bigger Questions About Leadership and Influence

Beyond the officers themselves, critics are pointing to larger issues inside the department, including:

– Allegations that enforcement actions in political settings are being pushed from higher up.

– Concerns that officers are being placed in situations without proper legal guidance or training .

– Ongoing questions about internal relationships and influence.

These concerns have not been proven in court — but they continue to resurface every time another case falls apart.

And now, it’s happening again.

🏛️ This Isn’t Just About One Case

These incidents all stem from public meetings — places where people are supposed to challenge government openly.

Yes, there are rules.

Yes, meetings need order.

But the law is clear:

👉 You cannot punish someone simply for being critical or outspoken during their public comment time.

That’s where the line is.

And based on the outcome in court, that line may have been crossed.

🎯 A Pattern That’s Getting Hard to Ignore

Leroy Truth has consistently criticized Union City leadership, including Mayor Brian Stack.

Some see him as a watchdog.

Others see him as disruptive.

But here’s what actually matters:

👉 The charges are not sticking.

And now, with cases tied to both Officer Arias and Sgt. Bellamy dismissed, the pattern becomes even harder to dismiss as coincidence.

📉 A Bad Look for Union City Police

No matter how you look at it, this is a problem.

When multiple officers bring cases that don’t survive in court, it:

– Wastes public resources

– Damages the department’s credibility

– Raises serious concerns about training and decision-making

And when it happens repeatedly — it becomes more than just a mistake.

👉 It becomes a pattern.

🧠 Bottom Line

This case is over.

The charges are dismissed.

But the real issue remains:

👉 Why do these cases keep failing — especially when brought by multiple officers like Arias and Bellamy?

Chief Walter Laurencio needs to take a closer look at officers abusing the criminal justice system with frivolous charges. At the end of the day it falls under his watch.

Until that question is answered, every future arrest tied to public criticism will face the same scrutiny — from the public and from the courts.

What’s the score now with total criminal charges dismissed…Leroy wins 28-0 in court so far!

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Breaking News

Stack’s Campaign Confrontation Leads to Criminal Charges

Published

4 weeks ago

on

March 23, 2026

By

Court complaint records show that several individuals have been criminally charged following an confrontation involving an investigative journalist, Scalzo Photo, during a political campaign event in Union City in the summer of 2025.

The complaint documents indicate that the incident is connected to activities surrounding a political campaign event attended by supporters and volunteers of Mayor and State Senator Brian P. Stack.

Individuals Named in Complaint Records and Charges Listed

According to the complaint records reviewed:

Andre Stevens is listed as charged with third-degree aggravated assault — attempt to cause significant bodily injury under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7). After physically shoving the journalist onto a vehicle and strangling him.

Ernesto J. Ferrera-Robles is listed as charged with third-degree aggravated assault — attempt to cause significant bodily injury under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7). This individual is seen to purposely follow the journalist throughout the entire event blowing air horns in the ears of the Journalist .

Luis R. Beltran is listed as charged with third-degree aggravated assault — attempt to cause significant bodily injury under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7). Also followed and harassed the journalist with an airhorn.

Elisa T. Cuenca is listed as charged with third-degree criminal mischief involving alleged property damage exceeding statutory limits under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3(a)(1). Also followed and harassed the journalist by consistently blocking the camera view and his personal view with a Campaign sign, a consistently impeding his way of travel.



The complaint records reference offense dates in June 2025 and appear to stem from the same overall police investigation.

Allegations Regarding the Incident

According to allegations described by individuals familiar with the matter, the confrontation occurred while an investigative journalist was documenting campaign activities. It is alleged that campaign volunteers followed the journalist, blocked camera views using political signs, and attempted to intimidate him from reporting on the event.

It is further alleged that at one point a volunteer physically confronted the journalist, including grabbing and pushing him against a vehicle. These allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Political Reaction and Public Criticism

The incident has generated political controversy and public criticism. Some critics argue that campaign leadership and elected officials connected to the event should have ensured a safe environment for journalists and members of the public.

Criticism has also been directed at prominent political figures associated with the campaign, including Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, as well as Assemblyman Larry Wainstein and Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez, with opponents alleging a failure to prevent or discourage confrontational conduct by supporters.

None of these public officials are listed as defendants in the complaint records reviewed and none has made comments of the incident.

Court Process Ahead

The charged individuals are expected to appear in court as the cases move through the criminal justice process. The proceedings will determine whether the charges proceed to indictment, trial, dismissal, or other resolution.

Presumption of Innocence

All charges described in the complaint records are allegations only.

Each named individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law following due process.

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