Jersey City, NJ — May 10, 2025

A searing open letter from investigative journalist Leroy Truth is shaking the political landscape in Hudson County, calling out Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea for what Truth describes as “hypocrisy and selective outrage.”

Truth, who has spent the last 17 months investigating and exposing alleged corruption tied to Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, issued the blistering statement after O’Dea publicly condemned the recent arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, calling it “an abuse of power” and “a disgrace.”

While O’Dea’s defense of Baraka drew praise in political circles, Leroy Truth says it exposed a glaring double standard: why, Truth asks, has O’Dea stayed silent in the face of what he describes as a “coordinated campaign of harassment, assault, robbery, and unlawful arrests” allegedly orchestrated by Stack to silence him?

“This is not about politics anymore—it’s about integrity,” Truth wrote. “Commissioner O’Dea, your condemnation of the arrest of Mayor Baraka is valid and necessary—but selective condemnation is not justice.”

Truth’s letter details a series of alarming incidents, which he claims were carried out on orders from Stack and overlooked by the highest law enforcement authorities in New Jersey. Among the incidents:

A Violent Ejection from Public Comment: Truth says he was unlawfully arrested at a Union City commissioners meeting while peacefully speaking during his allotted public comment time—a right protected by law. Dragged from Church: Truth alleges he was “violently ripped out of a church pew” in Jersey City by police while praying during a regular worship service attended by Governor Phil Murphy, Brian Stack, and ex-Governor Jim McGreevey. Assault at a State Senate Hearing: Truth claims he was violently removed and injured by New Jersey State Police for speaking at a Senate judiciary hearing chaired by Stack. Street Attack Caught on Video: Truth describes an assault and robbery in Union City allegedly carried out by City Hall secretary Justin Mercado, under Stack’s direction. Truth says Mercado stole his phone in broad daylight, waving it in front of Stack as “proof of loyalty.” Despite multiple security camera recordings of the incident, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin dismissed Truth’s six criminal complaints, citing “no probable cause.”

Truth did not hold back his fury at Platkin, labeling the Attorney General “complicit” in shielding corruption and creating a “paper trail of corruption with his name on it.”

“Outrage seems to be reserved for political insiders, not for journalists, and not for the American people,” Truth charged. “If you’re going to condemn one injustice, you must condemn them all. Anything less makes your words ring hollow—and aligns you with the very hypocrisy that allows corruption to flourish.”

The letter—signed with Truth’s signature tagline, “Fighting corruption in New Jersey, one truth at a time”—concludes with a direct challenge to O’Dea: name Brian Stack as the root of the problem, or risk being remembered as part of the system that enabled him.

A Pattern of Political Silence

Truth’s criticism highlights a broader issue within Hudson County politics: the enduring grip of Brian Stack’s political machine, which many local insiders have accused of stifling dissent and wielding unchecked power. Despite whispers of corruption for decades, few elected officials have dared to publicly confront Stack—fearing political retaliation or worse.

Truth argues that O’Dea now faces a defining moment.

“You cannot end corruption without the courage to call it out, expose it, and demand that corrupt public servants be indicted and removed,” he wrote. “The silence of most Democratic politicians in New Jersey—at every level—is deafening.”

A Political Crossroads for O’Dea

O’Dea, long seen as a political survivor with mayoral ambitions in Jersey City, has built his reputation as a reform-minded commissioner. But Truth’s letter forces O’Dea into an uncomfortable spotlight, questioning whether his anti-corruption stance is genuine—or just another talking point in an election season.

As Hudson County politics simmer with tension, all eyes are now on Bill O’Dea: Will he meet Leroy Truth’s challenge and name Brian Stack as a corrupt actor? Or will he join the long line of politicians accused of saying the right things while turning a blind eye to Hudson County’s most entrenched power broker?

In the words of Truth’s final warning: “History will remember your answer.”

For those with tips related to alleged corruption by Mayor and Senator Brian P. Stack, Leroy Truth invites contact via his Corruption Tips Hotline at 305-707-8325 or email at LeroyTruth247@gmail.com.

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This is a developing story. Updates will follow as new information becomes available.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between local and federal authorities, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on Friday outside the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate known for his staunch opposition to federal immigration policies, was taken into custody after allegedly trespassing and ignoring repeated warnings from Homeland Security personnel to vacate the premises .

The arrest occurred during a protest against the recently reopened 1,000-bed detention center operated by private prison contractor GEO Group under a 15-year, $1 billion contract with ICE . Baraka has been a vocal critic of the facility, arguing that it lacks proper permits and violates local ordinances. His administration filed a lawsuit against GEO Group shortly after the contract was announced .

Accompanying Baraka were Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez, who were attempting to conduct an oversight tour of the facility. According to witnesses, when federal officials blocked their entry, a heated confrontation ensued, leading to Baraka’s arrest .

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, stated that Baraka “chose to disregard the law” and emphasized that “no one is above the law” . The Department of Homeland Security accused the group of protesters, including the congressmembers, of storming the gate and disrupting operations, calling the incident a “bizarre political stunt” that endangered safety .

Baraka’s arrest underscores the deepening divide between local leaders and federal immigration authorities. As the mayor of New Jersey’s largest city and a gubernatorial hopeful, Baraka’s actions reflect a broader political strategy to position himself as a progressive champion against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. However, critics argue that his confrontational approach and disregard for legal protocols may undermine his credibility and effectiveness as a leader.

The incident also raises questions about the conduct of the accompanying congressmembers, particularly Rep. Rob Menendez, son of embattled U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. While video footage of the confrontation has not been publicly released, reports suggest that the lawmakers’ actions contributed to the escalation of tensions at the facility. Every legislator who resisted, pushed and assaulted the officers should have been arrested and charged accordingly, including Rob Menendez.

As the situation continues to unfold, Baraka’s campaign has stated that they are “actively monitoring” the events and will provide further details as they become available . The mayor’s arrest marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in challenging federal policies.

May 9, 2025 – Newark, NJ

In a resounding win for free speech and constitutional rights, the Newark Municipal Court today dismissed all charges against investigative journalist Leroy Truth (Leonard Filipowski) relating to his unlawful arrest at a Union City Commissioners Meeting. This ruling marks a critical defeat for Union City’s political machine and a major step forward in the fight to protect First Amendment freedoms from abuse by those in power.

The Arrest: A Stark Display of Political Overreach

The incident that sparked widespread outrage occurred on July 16, 2024, during a Union City Board of Commissioners meeting. Leroy Truth, a well-known critic of Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, used the public comment period to question Stack’s ties to the now-convicted U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, pointing to years of entrenched political corruption in Hudson County.

Videos—widely shared across social media from multiple angles—captured the entire event and have been viewed on very social media channels over 4 million times throughout the world.

These recordings allow viewers to witness, firsthand, the full context of the incident: from Truth’s measured but firm remarks to the aggressive and unlawful actions of Union City Police Captain Omar Hernandez. The footage reveals a shocking abuse of authority and provides undeniable proof of the events that unfolded before, during, and after Truth’s arrest.

Violation of Constitutional Rights: “You Cannot Disrespect the Commissioners”

In the videos, Captain Hernandez is heard repeatedly telling Truth, “You cannot disrespect the commissioners,” before forcibly removing him. This statement alone constitutes a flagrant violation of the First Amendment. Criticism of public officials—no matter how uncomfortable—is protected speech under the U.S. Constitution. Hernandez’s comments and actions highlight either a gross misunderstanding or a willful disregard of basic civil liberties.

Misinterpretation and Abuse of the Open Public Meetings Act

Adding to the legal quagmire, Captain Hernandez wrongly cited the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) as justification for the arrest. However, it must be made clear: OPMA governs the conduct of public bodies, not the speech of private citizens. Law enforcement officers, including the Union City Police Department, have no legal jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the OPMA against members of the public. Captain Hernandez’s misuse of this law to silence a critic represents a blatant abuse of power and a textbook case of civil rights violations under color of law.

Legal Battle: A Triumph for Civil Rights

Following his arrest, Leroy Truth filed a civil rights lawsuit against Mayor Stack and the Union City Police Department, exposing the retaliatory and unconstitutional nature of his arrest. Truth’s attorney, Mario Blanch, fought relentlessly to defend his client’s rights, arguing that the arrest was nothing short of a calculated attempt to intimidate and silence dissent.

Today’s dismissal of the charges vindicates both Leroy Truth and the principle that no one is above the Constitution. Mario Blanch deserves special commendation for his unwavering defense of civil liberties and for holding Union City’s corrupt leadership accountable in court.

The Bigger Picture: Exposing a Political Machine

This case casts an unflattering spotlight on Mayor Brian Stack’s administration and the Union City Police Department, exposing deep-rooted corruption and a culture of political retaliation. Stack’s empire has long been accused of using intimidation tactics to suppress criticism and maintain a stranglehold on local power. The attempt to criminalize public discourse at an open meeting only confirms what many have long suspected: Stack and his enablers fear accountability.

Conclusion: A Warning to Abusers of Power

The dismissal of these baseless charges is not just a personal victory for Leroy Truth—it’s a powerful statement that the people of New Jersey will not tolerate the erosion of their fundamental rights. This case sets a crucial precedent: public officials who attempt to weaponize law enforcement to stifle criticism will be exposed and defeated.

As the fight for transparency and accountability continues, citizens are reminded that the First Amendment is non-negotiable—and those who try to trample on it, from Brian Stack down to his loyal lieutenants, will be held to account.