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 3 Version 4
US corruption probe nets dozens US corruption probe nets dozens
(40 minutes later)
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. The mayors of three towns in the US state of New Jersey, along with several rabbis, have been arrested over alleged corruption and money laundering.
Two members of the New Jersey state legislature were also among more than 40 people detained.Two members of the New Jersey state legislature were also among more than 40 people detained.
Three hundred FBI agents raided dozens of locations across New Jersey and New York as part of a 10-year probe.Three hundred FBI agents raided dozens of locations across New Jersey and New York as part of a 10-year probe.
Cars were backed up four deep with suspects outside the FBI's office in Newark, New Jersey's largest city.Cars were backed up four deep with suspects outside the FBI's office in Newark, New Jersey's largest city.
'Piece of the action''Piece of the action'
Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini and Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez were among those arrested.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.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.Federal prosecutors said several rabbis were detained in the states of New York and New Jersey.
Acting US Attorney, Ralph Marra, said: "It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the action. The corruption was widespread and pervasive."Acting US Attorney, Ralph Marra, said: "It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the action. The corruption was widespread and pervasive."
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, an anti-corruption campaigner in the city, said it had been "an unbelievable morning".Newark Mayor Cory Booker, an anti-corruption campaigner in the city, said it had been "an unbelievable morning".
Jon Corzine, the Governor of New Jersey, said: "The scale of corruption we're seeing as this unfolds is simply outrageous and cannot be tolerated."Jon Corzine, the Governor of New Jersey, said: "The scale of corruption we're seeing as this unfolds is simply outrageous and cannot be tolerated."
Ed Kahrer, an FBI agent who has worked on the investigation from the start, said: "New Jersey's corruption problem is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the nation.Ed Kahrer, an FBI agent who has worked on the investigation from the start, said: "New Jersey's corruption problem is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the nation.
"It has become ingrained in New Jersey's political culture," he said."It has become ingrained in New Jersey's political culture," he said.
'Kidneys''Kidneys'
The BBC's Jane O'Brien says the money-laundering ring, which is said to have involved at least $3m (£1.8m), spanned the US, Israel and Switzerland.The BBC's Jane O'Brien says the money-laundering ring, which is said to have involved at least $3m (£1.8m), spanned the US, Israel and Switzerland.
The news agency, Associated Press, reported that several rabbis from New York City and New Jersey were charged with a number of offences ranging from the trafficking of kidneys from Israeli donors to the laundering of proceeds from selling fake designer bags.The news agency, Associated Press, reported that several rabbis from New York City and New Jersey were charged with a number of offences ranging from the trafficking of kidneys from Israeli donors to the laundering of proceeds from selling fake designer bags.
AP 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.AP 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.