N.J. Legislator Resigns Amid Child Porn Probe

NEW YORK -- Veteran Democratic New Jersey Assemblyman Neil Cohen has resigned amid an investigation into alleged possession of child pornography on his legislative office computer.

In a brief resignation letter to the Clerk of the General Assembly Monday, Cohen said his resignation is effective immediately.

News 4 New York reported Friday that the seven-term assemblyman has been hospitalized under psychiatric observation Thursday night, after investigators seized computers from his office on Stuyvesant Avenue in Union.

It was two fellow democrats who essentially turned in Cohen.

Sources told WNBC.com’s Brian Thompson that no decision was made as of Thursday night as to whether the 57-year-old legislator will face state or federal prosecution.

The investigation began after state Attorney General Anne Milgram received a tip, sources said. Her office seized the assemblyman’s Union Township computers Wednesday as part of the investigation, sources said. At least one of the computers was assigned to him as part of his work in the legislature.

The two confirmed Thursday to News 4 New York: “As the facts became apparent in our office, we notified the appropriate agency and will continue to assist in any way possible,” they said in a joint statement. “While it was our proactive steps that led the investigation to this point, we are appalled at what has transpired.”

They added that both have known Cohen for more than two decades.

“We know him as a compassionate caring individual, but if the allegations prove true, clearly there was a side to him neither of us knew,” they said in the statement.
Cohen served in the Assembly from 1990 to 1991 and from 1994 to present. He is currently a deputy speaker.

In 2001, Cohen sponsored a bill creating a computer hotline to report child pornography and other Internet crimes.

Cohen also has been a leading backer of state stem cell research efforts.
The outspoken liberal Roselle resident shares an office with State Senator Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan.

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N.J. Legislator Resigns Amid Child Porn Probe - Politics News Story - WNBC New York