Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez: A Deepening Swamp of Corruption, Political Protection, and Public Outrage

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, once hailed as the first Latina prosecutor in New Jersey, has become one of the state’s most controversial and distrusted law enforcement figures. Over her decade-long tenure, Suarez has built a reputation not as a fearless prosecutor—but as a political operator entangled in backroom deals, cronyism, cover-ups, and favoritism.

Suarez’s alleged corruption reaches the highest levels of New Jersey politics, with critics accusing her of operating as a shield for Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, who also chairs the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee.

A Web of Political Contributions and Conflicts of Interest

One of the most damning and underreported aspects of Suarez’s career is her financial support to Brian Stack’s political machine. According to official records from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), Suarez has previously contributed to Stack’s political campaigns.

This direct financial tie between a sitting prosecutor and the most politically powerful mayor in her jurisdiction is not just inappropriate—it’s a textbook example of a conflict of interest that would never be tolerated in a well-functioning justice system.

Suarez’s office has repeatedly been accused of declining to bring meaningful charges against Union City officials and police officers connected to Stack, fueling the perception that the prosecutor’s office has been captured by political interests.

The Rodriguez Scandal: Watered-Down Charges to Protect Stack’s Allies

Perhaps the most glaring example of Suarez’s alleged favoritism is the case of Union City Police Sergeant Ruben Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was charged in December 2023 with filing a false police report about being assaulted, a mere fourth-degree crime (Hudson County View, Dec 2023).

However, legal experts and insiders argue that Rodriguez should have been charged with far more serious crimes:

– Official misconduct (a second-degree offense under New Jersey law)

Should be civilly liable for false arrest and false imprisonment; and charged internally for conduct unbecoming of a public employee.

Instead, Suarez’s office downgraded the matter to a slap on the wrist, raising loud accusations that Rodriguez was shielded because of his loyalty to Stack’s political empire.

The Ray Vasquez Cover-Up

Another explosive example involves Hudson County Undersheriff Ray Vasquez, who was accused of falsifying police records—a crime that, under normal circumstances, would trigger a full investigation and severe administrative and criminal penalties.

Yet Suarez’s office failed to meaningfully prosecute or discipline Vasquez, further fueling accusations that the prosecutor uses her discretion to protect political insiders and silence damaging investigations.

Clashes with Leroy Truth: The Activist Suarez Can’t Silence

Hudson County corruption watchdog investigative journalist Leroy Truth, has been one of the few relentless public figures to call out Suarez’s alleged misconduct.

For months, Leroy Truth has accused Suarez of running a corrupt, politically compromised prosecutor’s office, pointing directly to her relationships with Stack and her record of declining to prosecute politically sensitive cases.

In a widely circulated video, Leroy Truth blasted Suarez for “turning a blind eye to Union City’s cesspool of rape, corruption, and unchecked abuse of power,” naming her as a central enabler of the region’s political rot.

A Disgraced Bid for U.S. Attorney Blocked by the Biden Administration

Suarez’s ambitions for power reached beyond Hudson County. In 2021, she sought the prestigious post of U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, with powerful backing from Sen. Bob Menendez.

But her candidacy quickly collapsed under the weight of public outrage and ethical baggage.

According to New Jersey Globe (Dec 2021) and New Jersey Monitor (2024), Suarez was passed over by the Biden administration after public criticism over her refusal to prosecute a rape case involving a senior staffer to Governor Phil Murphy.

National media—including coverage in outlets like the New York Times—noted that Suarez’s nomination stalled in part because of concerns over her prosecutorial record, her entanglements with political power brokers, and questions about her ethical judgment.

A Broken Justice System Under Federal Scrutiny

As public trust in Hudson County law enforcement collapses, demands for a federal investigation into Suarez’s conduct have reached a boiling point.

Activists, legal experts, and watchdog organizations argue that Suarez’s network of political alliances, history of campaign contributions to officials she oversees, and pattern of selective prosecution have compromised the integrity of the justice system.

They call on the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI to open a formal investigation into:

Suarez’s campaign donations to Brian Stack Her pattern of reducing or declining charges against political allies Her handling of cases involving police misconduct Her failed and highly controversial bid for U.S. Attorney

Without federal intervention, critics warn, Hudson County will remain trapped in a cycle of corruption, cover-ups, and political impunity.

Conclusion: Hudson County Deserves Better

Esther Suarez has become, in the eyes of many, the ultimate symbol of what’s broken in Hudson County politics. Instead of standing as a champion of justice, Suarez is seen as a gatekeeper for the powerful, a fixer for the political class, and a roadblock to accountability.

For the sake of public trust, law enforcement integrity, and the rule of law, the time has come for federal authorities to launch a sweeping investigation into her office, her record, and her political alliances.

Sources and Articles Cited:

Hudson County View: Union City Police Sergeant charged with filing false report

New Jersey Globe: Suarez withdraws as candidate for U.S. Attorney

New Jersey Monitor: Adviser testifies about Menendez schemes

ELEC Reports: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission