This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8165607.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US rabbis arrested in crime probe US corruption probe nets dozens
(about 1 hour later)
Two mayors, rabbis and politicians are among some 30 people arrested in a major corruption and money-laundering investigation, say US authorities. The mayors of three cities in the US state of New Jersey, along with several rabbis, have been arrested over alleged corruption and money laundering.
Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, and Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt are among those said to have been arrested in New Jersey. Two members of the New Jersey state legislature were also among more than 40 people detained.
Federal prosecutors said several rabbis were also detained in the states of New York and New Jersey. Three hundred FBI agents raided dozens of locations across New Jersey and New York as part of a 10-year probe.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker said it had been "an unbelievable morning so far". Cars were backed up four deep with suspects outside the FBI's office in Newark, New Jersey's largest city.
Cars were said to be backed up four deep with suspects outside the FBI's office in Newark, New Jersey's largest city.
Jersey City deputy mayor Leona Beldini and former Jersey City council president L Harvey Smith were also reported to be among those arrested.
The nature of the charges they may face is unclear.
A news conference is scheduled for Thursday.
Synagogue raidSynagogue raid
The news agency Associated Press spoke to a congregation member of a synagogue in Deal, a seaside borough in New Jersey, which was reportedly raided by agents from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and local prosecutors' office. Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini and Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez were among those arrested.
State assemblymen Harvey Smith and Daniel Van Pelt were also arrested.
Federal prosecutors said several rabbis were detained in the states of New York and New Jersey.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, an anti-corruption campaigner in the city, said it had been "an unbelievable morning".
The news agency Associated Press spoke to a congregation member of a synagogue in Deal, New Jersey, which was reportedly raided by agents from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and local prosecutors' office.
"Everyone was looking at each other, like, 'What's going on here?'" Mike Winnick said."Everyone was looking at each other, like, 'What's going on here?'" Mike Winnick said.
Mr Winnick said four FBI agents escorted a rabbi from the synagogue into his office and blocked the doorway.Mr Winnick said four FBI agents escorted a rabbi from the synagogue into his office and blocked the doorway.
Agents also removed several boxes from the nearby yeshiva, a school that educates the children of Sephardic Jews, AP reported.Agents also removed several boxes from the nearby yeshiva, a school that educates the children of Sephardic Jews, AP reported.