Trentonians Chime In After Feds Raid City Hall

TRENTON-- In the wake of last week's FBI raids, the city of Trenton burst onto the national scene. News reports, tweets, and blogs galore, indeed Trenton was the talk of the town last week.

FBI agents descended onto New Jersey's state capitol in the middle of the night last Wednesday, they stopped off at the mayor's Berkely Square home in Trenton.

The city's mayor, Tony F. Mack, has been the subject of scandal and criticism since taking office just two years ago. Since being inaugurated, he and his administration have been slapped with accusations of cronyism and reckless spending. However, at this juncture, despite these accusations, the FBI has not charged the mayor with any crime or offense. Reports indicate that an investigation is ongoing.

After stopping off at the Mayor's humble abode, the FBI also searched the homes of Mack's brother Raphael Mack along with one of the mayor's campaign contributors JoJo Giorgianni, a convicted sex offender.

Over the last two years, the mayor was a target of a failed recall effort. The citizens group that led the recall effort was concerned about "unstable leadership and the laying off of 105 police officers "according to Trentonian columnist LA Parker. Along with the recall, a lawsuit was filed against the mayor by a former parks employee. The employee said that the mayor asked her to give his friends jobs and she refused.

It is unknown whether the FBI investigation has anything to do with these previous issues and if they are connected to the mayor and his administration.

To his credit, Mack has done some things to improve the city of Trenton since taking office. From renovating the Ike Williams Recreation Center to securing grant funds for public safety that is expected to help bring back 12 officers that were laid off due to budget constraints, the mayor has done things enhance the community. For more info, click here.

Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- wanted to get reaction from Trenton residents.

One resident said its tragic that we have a mayor that is being investigated by the FBI. He went on to say that despite being innocent until proven guilty, if the FBI is involved, they must have something on him.

Another resident, Ms. Tuthcil, said that she personally knows the mayor and that she doesn't know too much about what's going on, but that she supports the mayor and is praying for him.

Shawn, a city man, said that his initial reaction after hearing that the mayor's house was raided was that it was 'embarassing'.

Lastly, Richard Cook, a longtime Trenton resident and cousin of former Mayor Doug Palmer, said that he doesn't know what to think but that he never saw a mayor's house get raided by the FBI in his lifetime.

Please see video interviews below:

Outspoken Trenton Activist No Longer Supports The Mayor

TRENTON-- Local political activist says he no longer wants to be a part of the mayor's team.

Wednesday morning, Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- sat down with Daryl Brooks, a former Tony Mack supporter and failed U.S Senate candidate, to discuss what he calls 'the inside truth' surrounding Trenton Mayor Tony Mack and local steakhouse proprietor Jojo Giorgianni.

In an exclusive interview, Brooks, a Trenton native, chimed in on a variety of topics. Despite being one of the chief spokespersons at a City Hall rally last June in support of the mayor, Brooks is now calling Mack an outright liar' saying that he had questioned Mack's loyalty even before he won a seat in the mayor's office in 2010.

During the course of the 50 minute discussion, the outspoken activist cited broken promises and misrepresentation on the part of Mack and his underlings. According to the hometown activist, during a phone conversation with the mayor, Brooks asked him about the recent layoff of one third of the city's police force, and the mayor said, 'f*** the police'.

Brooks went on to express frustration and disappointment with what he calls the mayor's arrogant management style. He believes the mayor has a 'napolean complex', where the motto is, 'its either my way or the highway'.

The Trenton activist left no stone unturned. He called out elected officials, religious leaders, and also what he calls 'Facebook activists' that talk a lot on the popular social media website, but ultimately do nothing outside submitting posts online.

Brooks issued a scathing critique of these leaders and said change is needed.

During the interview, the political firebrand did not hold back.

With regard to Jojo Giorgianni, he said that the owner of JoJo's Steakhouse, has on numerous occasions, openly called many African American city officials 'spooks' and other racial slurs. He went on to say that Giorgianni sells 'crack pipes' at his North Trenton store.

When asked why he has decided to come forward now after being a vocal supporter of the mayor, Brooks said that he had become so sick and tired of being lied to and that he wanted to 'wake people up'.

For more information on Brooks or his blog, Today's News NJ, click here.

Please see a video of Anwar's Reflections exclusive interview with Daryl Brooks below:

Interview with Outspoken Political Activist Has Been Pushed Back

TRENTON-- In a post last week, it was reported that Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- was going to have a sit-down with outspoken politcal activist Daryl Brooks.

Brooks, a former supporter of the city's mayor, claims he has the inside truth about Tony Mack and local steakhouse proprietor Jojo Giorgianni.

To my readers, I apologize, this particular sit-down is still in the waits due to schedule conflicts. However, as things stand now, the interview is scheduled to be released Wednesday, stay tuned.

Former Mack Supporter Speaks Out

TRENTON-- Outspoken political activist Daryl Brooks says he has the inside truth about Trenton Mayor Tony Mack and local steakhouse proprietor JoJo Giorgianni.

In a recent phone conversation, Brooks, a former Mack supporter and staunch recall opponent, informed Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- that he has something  new to say about the Mack administration.

Anwar's Reflections is scheduled to interview Brooks Saturday.

Stay tuned for breaking news related to this story.