NJ probing Hoboken's meter $$$

Thursday, June 19, 2008  Jersey Journal

HOBOKEN - The Hoboken Parking Utility is under investigation by the New Jersey State Police, say sources with knowledge of the investigation.

"It is accurate that the city is currently reviewing issues involving the Hoboken Parking Utility," Hoboken Corporation Counsel Steve Kleinman confirmed yesterday. "There is a law enforcement aspect to this matter, however, (so) I am constrained from commenting further at this time."

Kleinman said the investigation is related to United Textile Fabricators, the company that collected the revenue from the city's parking meters from December 2005 until a few months ago. Last October, it was learned that UTF owed Hoboken at least $582,352 in revenues that the company collected but didn't give to the city. UTF paid Hoboken in full by the end of last year.

A few months later the city terminated its contract with UTF and now collects the money itself, Kleinman said.

The city has continued to investigate whether UTF owes any additional funds, Kleinman said, adding that he expected to go into closed session with the City Council at its meeting last night to discuss the matter further.

Hoboken Parking Utility Director John Corea referred all questions to Kleinman.

Sgt. Julian Castellanos of the New Jersey State Police said he wasn't able to comment on an ongoing investigation.