Murphy Requests Federal Government Re-Open Affordable Care Act Enrollment in New Jersey

TRENTON – Responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy today requested the federal government open a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) in New Jersey to allow uninsured and underinsured residents to enroll in health coverage through the federal health insurance

exchange.

The Governor’s request was issued in a letter sent to U.S. Department Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma.

“With COVID-19 now a pandemic and confirmed cases increasing in New Jersey and across the country, it is imperative that we take all appropriate actions to increase access to screening, testing, and treatment related to COVID-19. While I have coordinated across state agencies to take emergency action to facilitate access to screening, testing and access to care for the residents of New Jersey, more can be done to ensure every individual has access to appropriate health care during this crisis,” Governor Murphy wrote. “Therefore, as New Jersey transitions from a State Based Exchange on the Federal Platform to a State Based Exchange, I respectfully urge the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to authorize a Special Enrollment Period in New Jersey to allow individuals to access affordable health insurance options through the federal platform.”

Several states that operate a State-Based Exchange have already established a Special Enrollment Period in response to COVID-19. However, federal action is required for the establishment of an SEP in states that operate on the federal platform, Healthcare.gov. Governor Murphy is calling for a special enrollment period of at least 60 days for all eligible uninsured and underinsured persons to purchase health coverage through the federal platform, and for that coverage to be in place as soon as possible.

“With no vaccine in place and a high degree of uncertainty about the direction that the virus will take, increasing access to health coverage will play a role in managing this outbreak. Similar to actions CMS has taken in the past during major weather events such as hurricanes, creating a SEP is a responsible action that will benefit individuals, as well as contribute to the management of this public health crisis,” added Governor Murphy.

“As the state responds to the COVID-19 situation, we want to ensure that residents have the coverage they need to access testing and treatment if necessary. We have taken action to require carriers regulated by the state to waive cost sharing for COVID-19 testing. However we can do more and, in this case, we need the federal government’s assistance,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride. “Clearly, we do not want residents to be apprehensive about seeking treatment because they are not insured or concerned about medical bills. We are asking the federal government to establish a special enrollment period for our residents, and for that coverage to be in place as soon as possible.”

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and 24 of his colleagues recently sent a letter requesting a Special Enrollment Period for consumers in response to COVID-19. Senator Menendez and U.S. Senator Cory Booker also introduced legislation to support the response to the pandemic including to create a special enrollment period for individuals impacted by COVID-19, among other initiatives. The Governor’s letter may be found here.

For the latest information on novel coronavirus, please visit www.nj.gov/health or call 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 (if using out-of-state phone line).

NJBIA Statement on Senate Economic Relief Actions in Response to Coronavirus

NJBIA President and CEO Michele N. Siekerka, Esq. released the following statement in response to a series of economic relief actions announced today by Senate President Steve Sweeney.

\”NJBIA thanks Senate President Sweeney for consideration of these much needed economic initiatives, which will help both employers and employees during these extremely challenging and worrying times for small business in the state of New Jersey.

\”In no uncertain terms, many of our members are telling us both directly and through our polling that they have serious concerns about the stability and solvency of their operations, both in the short-term and the long-term, due to the overall response of the coronavirus.

\”We believe the protections and extensions proposed today are a start toward helping to mitigate some of the negative economic impacts being experienced, or soon to be experienced by our job creators, workers and their families as we go through this together.

\”NJBIA is grateful to our policymakers for their continued consideration of ideas and proposals that can help the business community and we look forward to further working with them as they come to fruition.\”

New Jersey Cancels All Municipal Court Hearings, Jury Trials for Two Weeks

March 14, 2020

(Camden, NJ) – Yesterday, the Camden County Department of Health announced the second presumptive positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Camden County. On Saturday, New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice, Stuart Rabner, announced that all municipal courts in the state will begin a two-week suspension starting Monday.

Anyone scheduled to appear in municipal court between Monday, March 16, and Friday, March 27, will receive notice of a new court date.

“Although the risk posed by coronavirus in New Jersey is still considered low for the general public, suspending these and other activities helps to reduce the likelihood of exposure for residents who would otherwise be required to spend several hours in crowded facilities,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “Our administration is working tirelessly to ensure that government services remain available to Camden County residents while we combat the spread of coronavirus. We share the state’s goal to minimize the risk posed to our residents while causing the smallest possible disruption to daily life.”

On March 12, Rabner suspended all reporting for petit jury service,

announcing

that no new civil or criminal jury trials would be conducted until further notice. Ongoing jury trials and grand juries are to continue at this time. Jurors who are serving on ongoing trials are asked not to report if they are sick or at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

New protocols have been implemented throughout Camden County to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the county’s workforce and residents. Enhanced cleaning and screening protocols have been implemented in county facilities, monitoring for potential exposures and keeping high-contact surfaces such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and handrails disinfected. All work-related travel has been cancelled.

The Camden County Correctional Facility has cancelled all in-person visits and has instituted a pandemic response policy. Additionally, all inmates will have their temperatures taken upon booking and release. Both the staff and inmate populations have been briefed on proper practices to reduce their risk of exposure and protect themselves from contracting coronavirus.

School districts throughout the state have begun announcing closures for training, cleaning, and to mitigate the risk of exposure inside their facilities. In Camden County, Pennsauken and Camden City School Districts have announced closures beginning March 16, until March 27, and April 1, respectively.

A complete list of all school closures in the state is being maintained on the New Jersey Department of Education

website

Information regarding coronavirus, government preparations, event cancellations, and all other updates from Camden County is being continually updated on

camdencounty.com

. Residents should frequently check the county webpage and social media for up-to-date information.

GUEST OPINION: America awakes to a national emergency and a weekend at home

By Dan McCaleb |

The Center Square

A day after President Donald Trump issued an

emergency declaration

over the coronavirus pandemic, Americans woke up Saturday realizing life over the next several weeks will be very different.

Schools are closed. Colleges and universities are turning to virtual education online. College students studying far from home are making travel plans to return home early.

Sporting events are postponed or cancelled.

Many workers are being asked to work from home.

Grocery store shelves are empty.

Churches are cancelling services.

Many states have enacted bans on mass gatherings, including parades, concerts and other social events.

Americans\’ 401(k)s are less valuable.

Social distancing is the catch phrase of the day.

As of Friday night, more than 2,200 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus that originated in China in December. At least 59 people died: the majority of them, 37, in the state of Washington, the epicenter of the disease in the U.S.

Globally, more than 142,000 cases have been confirmed.

Trump during a Friday afternoon news conference asked Americans not to panic but instead called for a \”shared sacrifice\” so \”we can get past this.\”

Trump\’s emergency declaration makes available up to $50 billion of federal funds to help stop the spread of the disease and frees up other federal resources. He asked every hospital in the country to activate their disaster plans to help deal with the crisis and every state to establish emergency response centers.

He said a public-private partnership will lead to the faster development of new tests, which have been in short supply around the country. Drive-thru testing has begun in some states, and Trump vowed that more would be opening across the country soon.

Health officials say most people are not at high risk of serious complications from COVID-19, but they urge everyone to take proper precautions to help protect people who are in high-risk groups, such as older people and those with chronic health conditions.

Health officials recommend the following precautions:

Those who believe they been exposed to COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider, or the nearest hospital if they lack a healthcare provider

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

Avoid contact with people who are sick and say home if you are sick

Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in public

posted here with permission of

The Center Square

Guest Opinion: Toll Hike Benefits American Dream Mall, Hurts Commuters

Jeff Tittel, Director

New Jersey Sierra Club

This week, New Jersey Turnpike Authority released more details about a proposed toll increase. The proposed increases include a 36% increase for the New Jersey Turnpike and a 27% increase for the Garden State Parkway. The money from the toll hike will go toward various projects, including full-

time use of NJ Turnpike exit 19W with direct access to the American Dream Mall in the Meadowlands.

“Using toll money to pay for more direct access to the American Dream Mall is a sham. This mega mall was too costly to build and too costly to visit, and now they want New Jersey commuters to pay for a direct exit from the Turnpike to the mall. This is ridiculous. New Jersey taxpayers already paid for that interchange to be moved originally to allow for direct access to the mall and also paid about $2 million in road and rail improvements to benefit the mall. In addition, taxpayers paid over $1 billion to subsidize this monstrosity of a mall, its customers are being charged to enjoy it, and now commuters are being charged even more,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This hits commuters in the wallet and doesn’t help them get to work. The mall still owes taxpayers millions of dollars for their mega mall, and now they are taking more money out of our wallets.”

The toll increases would be equally applied to all toll rates, including cash, E-ZPas, peak, off-peak, truck and car rates. The rate for a passenger car on the Turnpike would increase by an average of $1.25 and Parkway tolls by 30 cents.

“The tolls for the Turnpike will go up by an average of $1.25 per trip. That means that the average commuter who takes the Turnpike every day will be paying an additional $600 every year just to get to work. Using that money to benefit the American Scheme mega mall is ridiculous because it has already been the largest corporate subsidy in the state’s history. In addition to these toll hikes, people have to pay $24 for parking, and the daily price to ride American Dream rides will be $80 soon. Combined, that’s more than a season pass at Six Flags and just $5 shy for a daily pass to Disney World,” said Jeff Tittel. “The people who work at the American Dream Mall making $11/hour cannot afford to go there, much less drive there with these toll hikes. To spend a full day at the park could take a full week’s wages.”

This toll hike is estimated to raise more than $500 million. The money will support a capital plan that goes through 2029. There are 53 projects that will widen sections of the Parkway and Turnpike. Both roads will also get cashless toll collection, and full-time use of exit 19W. 19W allows direct access from the Turnpike to the Meadowlands sports complex and is currently only open on event days.

“There is no real traffic program for the bus or train services that are reliable, instead the mall will be car-dependent. The project, which comprises 7.1 million square feet of office and commercial space, in order to be successful, it will need to generate around 120,000 to 150,000 cars a day, gridlocking Bergen County with traffic. Everyday traffic will be like game day at Giants Stadium, and now they want to use toll money to benefit the mall,” said Tittel. “The Murphy Administration has been trying to fix traffic problems by proposing a rail plan that will cost $1-$2 billion while NJ Transit is crumbling. That money could have been used to finish the Bergen-Hudson Light Rail Line or important improvements for NJ Transit. Why should we be paying for a rail to a private mall. They created the problem, why should NJ taxpayers and commuters pay to fix it?”

The mall is an estimated 3 million square feet with more than half of that allotted to entertainment and the other 45% of the space will be for retail. There are 11,000 parking spaces and they share 22,000 with MetLife stadium on non-event days. The American Dream/Xanadu mall sits partly on wetlands in an environmentally sensitive area prone to flooding. Meadowlands resources are important for flood control, fisheries, and migratory birds.

“We have been fighting this mega mall for over 20 years because it is too large, it’s in an environmentally sensitive area, and will cause a lot of pollution and traffic. The American Dream/Xanadu site flooded during Hurricane Sandy. The mall’s water park is built on top of wetlands, which means increasingly vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise and storm surges. Studies have shown the entire area will end up under 3 feet of water. The EPA and Fish & Wildlife under President George W. Bush opposed the project because of environmental impacts on clean air and water, and wildlife,” said Tittel. “Overdeveloping the Meadowlands will not only put more people in danger of flooding, but will actually impact wetlands and the fragile ecosystems.”

Governor Murphy believes this project has provided New Jersey residents with extraordinary opportunities for good-paying construction and building jobs, as well as opportunities for New Jersey’s business owners.

“The billions of dollars for American Dream could’ve been used for building schools and colleges, taking lead out of our drinking water, or cleaning up our toxic sites. Instead, this private enterprise is a one-two punch to our wallets, the billions it took to build it and the high price tag to enjoy its amenities. The American Dream mall shows everything that is wrong about New Jersey,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “By proposing to use toll increases to help pay for direct access to the American Dream Mall, the NJ Transit Authority is failing the commuters of New Jersey.”

OFFICER DOWN: Philadelphia Police Corporal James O\’Connor, SHOT AND KILLED

Corporal James O\’Connor

Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch

Friday, March 13, 2020

PHILADELPHIA PA (March 13, 2020)–Corporal James O\’Connor, age 46, was shot and killed during a SWAT team operation to arrest a homicide suspect at 5:50 am.

The SWAT team was securing the home on Bridge Street, near Duffield Street, when the subject opened fire on them through a closed door on the second floor. Corporal O\’Connor was struck in the shoulder in an area not protected by his vest.

Corporal O\’Connor was transported to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his wound 20 minutes later.

Corporal O\’Connor had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 23 years and had been a member of the SWAT team for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. One of his sons also served with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

CNB Crime

Blue Line

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | March 13, 2020

NJMVC Extends Expiration Dates for Driver Licenses, Registrations, and Inspections

In Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator Sue Fulton have announced that due to the COVID-19 outbreak and to protect the public, the MVC will extend expiration dates for driver licenses, registrations, and inspection stickers.

Effective immediately, the NJMVC will grant a two-month extension for:

Driver licenses expiring in March, April, and May

Registrations expiring in March, April, and May

Inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May

“All residents who have their driver’s licenses, auto registration, or vehicle inspection due for a renewal by May 31 will receive an automatic two-month extension,’’ said Governor Murphy. “Keeping New Jerseyans out of crowded Motor Vehicle agencies is another step we can take to limit exposure and hold the line against the spread of COVID-19.”

“Extending the expiration dates will reduce the numbers of customers who come through our agencies daily, helping us to reduce the risk to New Jerseyans,” Chief Fulton said. “We also strongly encourage customers to renew their licenses and registrations online if they are eligible.”

For expiration dates falling in March, the renewal deadline is extended to May; for expiration dates falling in April, the renewal deadline is extended to June; for expiration dates falling in May, the renewal deadline is extended to July.

By law, Chief Administrator Fulton has the authority to extend expiration dates when a State of Emergency has been declared. Governor Murphy declared a State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency on March 9 as part of the state’s coordinated response to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The NJMVC continues to encourage those customers who are eligible to conduct online transactions, including license renewals, vehicle registrations and change of address, to do so by visiting

NJMVC.gov

Customers should check

NJMVC.gov

for the latest information and updates.

DLA Piper Opens an International Cannabis Law Practice

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(March 13, 2020)–No one can ignore the growth, size, and importance of the global cannabis industry anymore, especially when it comes to the medical cannabis market. Scientists keep on proving the health benefits of cannabis use, thus creating entirely new types of alternative treatments. That is the reason why a lot of companies and startups start to invest in the industry.

One of them is DLA Piper.

DLA Piper

, one of the biggest and well-known law firms in the world, has started an international cannabis practice with a team that will comprise more than 70 lawyers. They will be operating in more than 15 countries across Europe, Australasia, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The decision came after closing a large number of deals that brought the firm over $8 billion.

The team will be led from Canada by Toronto based partner Robert Fonn and from England by London based senior associate Dylan Kennett.

DLA Piper’s life sciences sector team is one of the biggest of any law firm. Considering that the

cannabis industry

has become one of the fastest-growing ones, it is no wonder that one of the largest law firms wants to take advantage of it.

DLA Piper will continue advising on a range of legal matters in the cannabis industry, including the changing regulatory environment around the world, thus helping its clients understand and keep up with all legislative regimes in the growing industry. It will also focus on the medicinal products market, publicly acknowledging the proven benefits of cannabis and supporting further research.

It is expected that more and more companies and brands from all industries will follow in its footsteps. This is inspired by the predictions for the cannabis industry for the next decade. It appears that Europe has the potential to become a market leader, and everyone is watching closely.

Let us take a look at some predictions.

According to some estimates, spending on legal cannabis globally will reach $66.3 billion by 2025. The recreational cannabis market will cover 67% of the spending, while medical cannabis and the

CBD market

will cover the remaining 33%.

Other predictions say that the European cannabis market will reach $136 billion by the end of 2028. The United Kingdom’s market should reach

£2.31 billion by 2024

, and if Germany joins the legalization trend, its market could reach

$9.39 billion by 2028

On the other hand, Asia’s medical cannabis market could be worth $5.8 billion, Oceania’s cannabis market could reach $2.7 billion, and Thailand’s cannabis market could hit $661 million by 2024.

There is no doubt that the cannabis industry will become one of the biggest industries in the world, especially if it continues to grow at this rate. One thing is certain as well: all of those deciding on this venture are going to need professional legal advice.

images courtesy of unsplash.com

*Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event Set to Return, May 6-10

Event to Serve as a Qualifying Selection Trial for 2020 Olympic Games

Allentown, NJ —March, 2020—In its 18-year history, the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI) has become one of the most influential eventing competitions in the country. Taking place at the Horse Park of New Jersey, May 6-10, the 2020 Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event, Presented by B.W. Furlong & Associates, in

conjunction with Division Sponsor, Zoetis; new Presenting – level Sponsor, AIG; and Competitor Hospitality Sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim, will once again serve as a qualifying selection trial for the United States’ Eventing team that will compete in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

In the past, Jersey Fresh has helped to determine teams for both the Olympic and World Equestrian Games for the U.S. and Canada. In 2019, JFI was a qualifying event for the U.S. Eventing Team that went on to win double Gold Medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

This year’s Jersey Fresh will host CCI Four-Star and Three-Star events featuring many of the nation’s top horses and riders. In addition, JFI will host a newly added Preliminary Division for future stars in the sport.

“We are excited that the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event will once again play a part in the selection process for this year’s U.S. Olympic team,” said, Morgan Rowsell, Co-organizer of Jersey Fresh International. “Our event will feature the nation’s best horses and riders and spectators will have the opportunity to watch them compete for spots on the U.S. Olympic team headed for Tokyo!”

JFI is proud to partner with Second Call Thoroughbred Adoption & Placement who will be the event’s official beneficiary. Second Call, founded in 2012, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement Program dedicated to New Jersey’s off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Serving as the exclusive \”After Care Program\” for Monmouth Park, the mission is to assist, and ensure that retired racehorses find a SECOND calling and/or /profession. Thoroughbreds accepted into the program are rested, evaluated, and re-acclimated. They are then transitioned to proven trainers with a financial stipend from Second Call who retrain and prepare the former race horses for their new tasks. Every effort is made to ensure successful, long-term placements.

Spectators at JFI will enjoy watching former and future Olympians as they compete in the heart of the beautiful New Jersey horse country. JFI also provides a fantastic shopping and entertainment venue for equestrians and non-equestrians alike. Vendors featuring tack, boots, clothing, supplements, artisan creations and a wide variety of specialty goods will be on hand as well as food vendors offering a variety of local cuisine. Spectators can also participate in tailgating during the Cross-Country Phase of the competition, hat decorating contests, children’s activities and so much more!

Admission to JFI and the Horse Park of New Jersey, is free on Wednesday, May 6 (first Jog); Thursday, May 7 (Dressage phase, day one); and Friday, May 8 (Dressage phase, day two). General admission tickets for Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10 are available at the gate for $10 per person. General Admission does not include admission to VIP/pre-reserved tents or pre-reserved tailgating spots. More information about tailgating and tickets is available online at

www.jfi3d.com

The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event offers a volunteer program for equestrian enthusiasts wishing to help on one or all four days of the competition. Volunteering is a fun and educational way to get up close to all the action. Volunteering is also a great way for 4-H, FFA and Pony Club members to get a hands-on experience while learning about the great sport of Eventing.

B.W. Furlong and Associates, also the home of Equine MRI of New Jersey, Furlong’s Soundness Center, and Peak Performance Equine Services, is an exclusive equine practice consisting of fifteen full-time veterinarians, including a Board -Certified Internal Medicine Specialist and a Board Certified Surgeon. They have been providing high-level veterinary care for over 30 years in both the hospital and ambulatory setting. Ambulatory coverage is available year-round in New Jersey and in Ocala, Florida, as well as seasonally in Wellington, FL, Middleburg, VA and at major show circuits. Their 18-stall clinic includes a jog strip and lunging area, surgery suite, nuclear scintigraphy suite, clinical laboratory, isolation barn, and treatment areas. Their offsite locations include an elective surgical facility, standing MRI building, and a 12-stall rehabilitation center.

Zoetis is focused on bringing its customers solutions to help predict, prevent, detect and treat a variety of equine conditions across the continuum of care. Building on more than 65 years of animal health experience, Zoetis invests in research and development — within the company and in collaboration with external partners — to bring novel and enhanced health products and technologies to market, including its ground-breaking Core EQ Innovator™ vaccine, launched in 2018. In addition, Zoetis recently added Platinum Performance nutrition products and Stablelabâ point-of-care diagnostic blood tests to its portfolio, giving veterinarians even more ways to assist in overall Equine wellness. For more information on how Zoetis supports the equine veterinary industry through continuing education, veterinary wellness, research and development, and philanthropy, and works to help horses live long, healthy lives, visit

ZoetisUS.com

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) has expanded its presence in the equestrian community every year since 2010. Their commitment to the industry has grown through sponsorship of events and development of products specifically designed with riders and horse owners in mind. AIG Private Client Group, a division of the member companies of AIG, provides personalized insurance products to meet the lifestyle needs of successful individuals. AIG Private Client Group offers a concierge level of customer care. Clients receive personalized insurance options tailored for their lifestyles. AIG understands the dedication that comes with owning, riding and competing horses. Equine ownership can make insurance needs more complex and require specialized personal, equine, farm and ranch, and business insurance solutions. Learn more at

https://www-201.aigprivateclient.com/index.php?Page=equine-insurance-home

Boehringer Ingelheim is a global leader in equine health care, dedicated to providing technologically advanced products for the treatment and prevention of disease in horses. The breadth and depth of Boehringer Ingelheim brands and services means access to complete equine care solutions that keep horses healthy and allow them to reach their full potential. Learn more at

www.bi-vetmedica.com/species/equine.html

The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event/Horse Park of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit, Charitable and Educational organization that relies on sponsors, volunteers and members to sustain operations. Further information about JFI is available at

www.jfi3d.com

. Further information about the Horse Park is available at

www.horseparkofnewjersey.com

DeCavalcante Associate Admits Cocaine Distribution And Gun Possession

TRENTON, N.J. – An associate of the DeCavalcante crime family today admitted possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm during the course of a drug crime, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Mario Galli III, 28, of Toms River, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of a FEG 9mm Model PGK-9HP gun, loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition, by a convicted felon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, 2019, investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants on Galli’s residence and the residence of a conspirator. They recovered between400 and 500 grams of cocaine. The search of Galli’s residence also recovered a FEG 9mm Model PGK-9HP gun loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Galli was on supervised release from a 2016 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine. He served 30 months in federal prison on that charge.

The charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count of being a felon being in possession of a firearm during a drug crime carries a penalty of five years in prison which must be served consecutively to the penalty for the drug crime, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the members of the FBI’s Organized Crime Task Force under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; and investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley of the U.S. Attorney\’s Office’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: James Butler Esq.