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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.
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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A recent editorial by NJ.com sounded an alarm that should concern every parent in New Jersey: the growing misuse of the term “Blue Ribbon” by school districts in ways that can blur—or outright distort—the truth about academic achievement.
The editorial’s warning is specific and serious.
It explains that the term “Blue Ribbon” has a widely understood meaning tied to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, a federal recognition awarded only after schools meet strict criteria for academic excellence or improvement. Schools cannot apply directly; they are nominated and vetted through a rigorous process.
But according to the editorial, some districts are now:
- Using private organizations or internal programs that also use the words “Blue Ribbon”
- Promoting those recognitions in ways that closely resemble the federal designation
- Spending public funds on these programs, effectively turning what should be an earned distinction into something that can be marketed or purchased
The editorial stops short of making legal determinations—but it does not mince words. It characterizes this practice as misleading to parents and damaging to the integrity of legitimate academic honors.
This Isn’t Hypothetical — It’s Happening Locally
What makes this issue more than just a statewide concern is that similar questions are now being raised right here in Union City, New Jersey.
At Union Hill Middle School, a recent school-wide rally celebrated a “Blue Ribbon” recognition. Students were gathered, the announcement was made, and the room erupted in cheers.
There was no hesitation in how it was presented—it was framed as a major achievement, something to be proud of, something significant.
But the critical question remains unanswered:
Was this the official federal Blue Ribbon designation—or something else entirely?
Because if it was not the federal award, then the way it was presented raises serious concerns about how clearly that distinction was communicated to students, parents, and the public.
Why the Distinction Matters
This is not a technicality. It goes to the core of public trust.
The federal Blue Ribbon designation represents:
- Verified academic performance
- National-level recognition
- A competitive and selective process
When a school uses the same language without clearly explaining that it refers to a different program, it creates a reasonable likelihood of confusion.
Parents hear “Blue Ribbon” and assume one thing.
If the reality is something else, then the communication has failed—or worse, it has been crafted in a way that invites misunderstanding.
Leadership and Accountability
This is where responsibility shifts to leadership.
The Union City Board of Education, district administration, and municipal leadership under Brian Stack are not passive observers. They are the ones responsible for ensuring that what is presented to the public is accurate, transparent, and not misleading.
If a “Blue Ribbon” recognition was promoted:
- Why was the source of the award not clearly and prominently explained?
- Was the difference between federal and non-federal recognition communicated?
- Did leadership review how this would be perceived by parents and the community?
These are not minor oversights. These are basic standards of integrity in public education.
The Bigger Problem
The NJ.com editorial makes clear that this issue is not isolated.
When schools begin adopting prestigious terminology without clear context:
- It dilutes legitimate academic achievements
- It misleads families making decisions about their children’s education
- It erodes confidence in the school system as a whole
And once credibility is compromised, everything else—test scores, programs, initiatives—comes into question.
Bottom Line
Students at Union Hill Middle School did exactly what anyone would do—they celebrated with pride.
The problem is not the students.
The problem is whether the adults in charge were fully transparent about what, exactly, was being celebrated.
If the recognition was legitimate and clearly defined, then leadership should have no issue providing:
- The name of the awarding organization
- The criteria used
- And how it differs, if at all, from the federal Blue Ribbon designation
Until that happens, the concerns raised by the NJ.com editorial are no longer abstract—they are local, immediate, and impossible to ignore.
Because in public education, credibility is everything.
And right now, that credibility is being tested.
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Veteran educator and transitional political figure in a turbulent era of Hudson County politics
UNION CITY, N.J. — Arthur Wichert, a longtime educator and former mayor of Union City who served during one of the city’s most politically turbulent periods, died on April 26, 2026, at the age of 87.
Wichert, a lifelong resident of Union City, spent decades in public service both inside the classroom and in municipal government, leaving behind a legacy tied closely to the city’s political evolution in the late 20th century.
Early Life and Career in Education
Born on December 1, 1938, in Union City, Wichert built his professional life in his hometown.
He worked as a social studies teacher for more than 45 years, ultimately retiring in 2006 from Union Hill High School.
Colleagues and former students frequently described him as a dedicated educator, and even decades later, some residents recalled him primarily as a teacher rather than a politician.
Entry Into Politics and Rise in Union City Government
Wichert entered politics in the 1970s as part of the political organization led by then-Mayor William Vincent Musto, a dominant figure in Hudson County politics at the time.
- Served as a Democratic ward leader
- Worked as an aide to Musto
- Managed or participated in political campaigns, including Musto’s 1978 reelection effort
He later led a federally funded employment program and was appointed Public Safety Commissioner in 1979.
That same year, he won a special election with a strong majority, solidifying his position in city government.
Becoming Mayor During Political Upheaval
Wichert became mayor in 1982 under extraordinary circumstances.
At the time, Union City was embroiled in political instability:
- Mayor Musto had been convicted on federal charges including racketeering and fraud
- Acting Mayor Robert Botti was later convicted on federal charges as well
Following Botti’s conviction, Wichert was selected to assume the role of mayor.
He served as mayor from 1982 to 1986, a period marked by political realignment and transition in Union City’s leadership.
Political Context: Between Two Eras
Wichert’s tenure is historically significant largely because of where it sits in Union City’s political timeline.
He served:
- After the Musto era
- Before the rise of Bob Menendez, who would later become mayor in 1986 and go on to national office
His administration is often described as a bridge between two dominant political factions in Hudson County politics.
He ultimately did not seek reelection in 1986, an election that resulted in a major political shift when Menendez and his slate defeated the Musto-aligned leadership.
Leadership Style and Reputation
According to contemporaries, Wichert was viewed as a loyal and steady figure within the Musto political organization.
Current Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack, who worked under Wichert early in his career, described him as supportive and personable, noting he allowed younger staff to grow within city government.
While his administration itself is not widely associated with major policy shifts, his leadership occurred during a time when the city’s political structure was undergoing significant transformation.
Personal Life and Community Ties
Despite his time in politics, Wichert’s obituary emphasizes his identity as a family man and community figure.
- Married to his wife Connie for 62 years
- Father of three children
- Grandfather of six
He remained deeply connected to Union City throughout his life, both professionally and personally.
Death and Funeral Services
Wichert passed away at his home in Union City on April 26, 2026.
Funeral arrangements included:
- Visitation in Secaucus
- Funeral Mass at SS. Joseph & Michael Church in Union City
- Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington
Legacy
Arthur Wichert’s legacy is defined less by sweeping political reforms and more by his role in maintaining continuity during a volatile chapter in Union City’s history.
His life reflects three overlapping identities:
- Educator — decades shaping students in Union City
- Political insider — closely tied to the Musto organization
- Transitional mayor — governing during a shift that ultimately reshaped the city’s leadership
While later figures would dominate Union City’s political narrative, Wichert’s tenure remains a critical link in understanding how that transition unfolded.
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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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Blue Ribbon or Deception? Union Hill Middle School Under Fire for Misleading Claims
Former Union City Mayor Arthur Wichert Dies at 87
Fatal Fire in Union City Under Investigation by Authorities
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