Edison, NJ (June 6, 2025) — Ann Marie Pocklembo, a respected educator with 32 years of service, has publicly accused Edison Township’s Mayor Samip Joshi of sexually assaulting her in June 2020. Her detailed account, presented in a letter to her fellow residents, has ignited fresh scrutiny amid ongoing local elections and questions surrounding accountability from elected officials. 

A Trusted Friendship Turns Traumatic

Pocklembo describes forging an online connection with Joshi during the early days of the COVID‑19 pandemic, when he held the position of Vice President of the Edison Council. She felt a sense of trust in him as an elected leader offering guidance during the lockdown. 

In June 2020, as restrictions eased, Pocklembo accepted Joshi’s invitation to his home for what was framed as a casual social engagement. She recalls being served mixed drinks and becoming violently ill—so incapacitated she couldn’t drive home. Instead of helping her, Pocklembo says Joshi sexually assaulted her, taking advantage of her vulnerable state. Since then, she has endured both physical complications requiring medical intervention and deep emotional distress. 

The Fallout: Seeking Answers and Facing Denial

Following the incident, Pocklembo reported it to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, but alleges she was blocked from accessing the final investigative report. Her OPRA request to see an incident report related to retaliation at her home was denied. Despite the reported investigation closing in September 2022, officials concluded Joshi’s conduct did not violate the law. 

Moreover, Pocklembo attempted privately on several occasions to seek clarity and apology from Joshi—none were acknowledged. Meanwhile, Joshi ascended to the mayoralty and currently serves as public safety director, raising profound concerns for Pocklembo about public trust and the safety of residents under his leadership. 

Public and Political Reactions

In her letter dated May 26, 2025, Pocklembo urges residents to recognize her as more than a figure in a political campaign—equating her experience with what any daughter, mother, or wife might endure. She announced her intention was not motivated by politics but by the imperative of truth and accountability, emphasizing the emotional toll of encountering campaign signs such as “Women for Joshi” that she believes undermine her allegations. 

In response, former Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Joyce Ship‑Freeman expressed deep support. “My heart broke reading Ann Marie’s letter… No woman should go through the trauma she describes. I stand with her,” she wrote, condemning Joshi’s actions and demanding accountability. 

Prosecutor’s Office and Political Implications

In a letter dated January 9, 2025, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone informed attorney Richard Flaum that a thorough investigation concluded with no criminal charges against Joshi and the closure of the file in September 2022. 

However, Pocklembo’s detailed account and claims about retaliation have renewed calls for transparency. Residents and voter blocs are increasingly demanding that Joshi address the allegations directly.

What’s Ahead

Public Response from the Mayor: To date, Mayor Joshi’s office and Chief of Staff Bob Diehl have not responded to multiple requests for comment or clarification on Pocklembo’s allegations. Legal Review Possibilities: The reopening of the case has not been confirmed. Yet, Pocklembo’s detailed narrative and public support may prompt renewed legal or administrative review. Electoral Impact: With municipal elections approaching, this revelation could significantly influence voter sentiment and campaign dynamics.

Why It Matters

This story extends beyond one individual—it’s a profound reminder of a community’s responsibility to listen, validate, and adapt. As a long‑standing educator and leader in Edison, Pocklembo’s decision to share her story reflects the courage survivors often summon in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Conclusion:

Ann Marie Pocklembo’s public disclosure forces a reckoning in Edison about leadership, accountability, and the enduring impact of trauma. Regardless of legal outcomes, this narrative challenges the township: How will it ensure safety, integrity, and trust for all residents—especially those who suffer in silence?

A decades-old scandal surrounding Union City Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack is coming back under intense scrutiny — and this time, a new whistleblower has come forward with explosive allegations that could blow the lid off one of New Jersey’s most egregious examples of political corruption and abuse of power.

According to a 2003 Star-Ledger investigation, Brian Stack raised more than $200,000 for his state Senate campaign through a highly unusual and ethically questionable system of personal loans taken out by his own supporters — many of whom were public employees who depended on him for their jobs.

Now, over two decades later, we’ve received a firsthand account from an individual who claims to have been present at the very meeting where the scheme was orchestrated — and what they describe is not merely unethical, but downright coercive and potentially criminal.

🔥 WHISTLEBLOWER REVEALS STACK COORDINATED CAMPAIGN LOANS IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING WITH BANKERS

In an anonymous tip to our newsroom, a source who claims to have been inside the May 2003 emergency meeting detailed a scenario far more disturbing than what was originally reported.

“I was there,” the source stated. “Brian Stack called in his supporters — most of us worked for the city in some capacity. There were bankers in the room, actual loan officers. Stack stood in front of everyone and pressured us to fill out loan applications right there on the spot, so we could turn over the money to his campaign.”

The whistleblower described a room full of city employees, some visibly uncomfortable, as the mayor and Senate candidate pushed for thousands of dollars in personal loans to be immediately funneled into his political operation. According to the source, it was clear that refusing to cooperate could result in retaliation or loss of employment.

“He didn’t even try to hide it. It was clear that if you didn’t play along, your job was on the line,” the source added.

💰 PUBLIC EMPLOYEES USED AS POLITICAL ATM

The Star-Ledger piece already made waves when it revealed that Stack’s campaign was bankrolled by loans taken out in the names of school administrators, police officers, and other Union City employees. This included then–school superintendent Stanley Sanger, who reported giving hundreds to Stack’s campaign after taking out a loan — despite being a direct beneficiary of Stack’s appointment power.

This kind of transactional political machine — where jobs, promotions, and security are linked to campaign contributions — is a textbook example of pay-to-play politics and government corruption.

The article quoted Joseph Lauro, a spokesman for the Union City Board of Education, who casually admitted, “He’s always supported Brian, and that’s where this is coming from.” That’s not a defense — that’s a confession of patronage politics at its worst.

🧨 CAMPAIGN FINANCE LOOPHOLE OR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY?

Stack’s campaign tried to claim that these were voluntary loans and not direct donations — therefore bypassing state campaign finance limits. But this legalistic dodge does not change the ethical reality: Stack’s political machine exploited city workers and strong-armed them into taking on personal debt to fund his rise to power.

The new eyewitness testimony strongly suggests that this was not merely voluntary but coordinated, directed, and pressured — with direct involvement from financial institutions. That moves this scheme out of the realm of clever loopholes and into potential criminal conspiracy territory.

If verified, these claims could expose Stack and his enablers to serious legal jeopardy.

🏛️ THIS ISN’T JUST LOCAL — STACK NOW CHAIRS THE STATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Let’s be clear: This is not just a Union City scandal.

Brian Stack is no longer just the mayor — he’s a powerful state senator and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. That means he oversees nominations for judges, reviews ethics legislation, and is responsible for helping shape the very laws that are supposed to prevent this kind of abuse.

How can a man with this kind of alleged history of coercion, intimidation, and dirty fundraising tactics be trusted to serve as a gatekeeper of justice in New Jersey?

📞 THE PEOPLE DESERVE ANSWERS — AND ACTION

We call on the following authorities to investigate these revelations:

New Jersey Attorney General’s Office Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) Senate Ethics Committee

The people of New Jersey deserve a government that is transparent, ethical, and accountable — not a political mafia disguised as public service.

It’s time to ask: How many more jobs were traded for dollars? How many more public servants were forced into debt to keep their positions? And how much longer will New Jersey tolerate corruption at the top?

If you or someone you know was present at this meeting, or has information related to this scheme, please contact the Attorney General’s office at (609) 984-6500 or the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

This is no longer speculation. This is a pattern. This is abuse. This is Brian Stack’s legacy — and it must be stopped.

Union City, NJ — In a stunning upset that signals a seismic shift in the political power structure of Union City, Juana Dominguez has been elected as the new president of the Union City Education Association, defeating longtime incumbent Barbara Pinzon. Daniel Prusko has been elected vice president, forming a reform-minded leadership team that campaigned on a bold promise of “A New Image, A New Union, A New Contract.”

The election is being hailed as a critical turning point—not just for the teachers of Union City—but for the entire city’s political ecosystem, long dominated by the iron grip of State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack. For decades, Stack has used his influence over the Board of Education and the teachers’ union to create a closed-loop political machine—one that critics say operated more like a one-party regime than a functioning democracy.

Stack’s tight control over the Board of Education was no secret. Members of the board, often hand-picked by Stack loyalists, have routinely rubber-stamped decisions favorable to his political agenda, while the teachers’ union leadership under Barbara Pinzon rarely—if ever—challenged policies that burdened rank-and-file educators. Behind the scenes, teachers were pressured to donate thousands of dollars to Brian Stack’s political campaigns and were expected to give up their personal time to volunteer—duties that had little to do with education and everything to do with maintaining the political status quo.

This latest election, however, changes everything.

The victory of Dominguez and Prusko is being seen as a direct rejection of Stack’s political interference in the education system. They represent a new wave of leadership—one committed to restoring the union to its true purpose: advocating for the rights and well-being of teachers, not serving as a campaign engine for entrenched politicians.

“Teachers were screwed in the last contract,” said one educator who asked to remain anonymous. “It was a slap in the face to every hardworking teacher in this city. Meanwhile, administrators—many of whom have cozy relationships with Stack’s inner circle—saw their salaries balloon. Enough is enough.”

Dominguez and Prusko ran on a platform of transparency, accountability, and delivering a new contract that prioritizes teachers, not bureaucrats. Their message resonated with a workforce long tired of political coercion, stagnating wages, and being used as pawns in a larger political game.

“This is more than just a union election,” said a local parent activist. “This is a democratic breakthrough in a city that’s been politically dominated for far too long.”

The election is being celebrated by educators, parents, and community leaders alike as the first domino to fall in dismantling what some have described as the “communist-style” regime of Brian Stack—a reference to the decades of unchecked political control, lack of dissent, and forced loyalty he’s cultivated throughout city institutions.

While Stack has not publicly commented on the results, sources within Union City say the election has sent shockwaves through his inner circle. With the teachers’ union now breaking free from political servitude, eyes are turning toward the next battlegrounds: the Board of Education, municipal elections, and ultimately, restoring democratic balance in Hudson County politics.

Congratulations to Juana Dominguez and Daniel Prusko on their groundbreaking win. Their leadership marks a new era for Union City’s educators—and a warning shot to the political establishment that change is no longer a dream. It’s happening.

One step at a time, the wall of control begins to crack.