The soap opera involving New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey and his apparent paramour Golan Cipel appears to have ended with a whimper and not a bang. But legal investigations may revive it.
Cipel had accused McGreevey of sexual harassment and suggested he would file a suit claiming that. He had until Aug. 30 to file charges.
But Cipel backed down in a statement read by his attorneys on that date. 'I have no desire to have the taxpayers of New Jersey pay for Mr. McGreevey's reprehensible conduct ... . It's clear to me that McGreevey resigned because he sexually harassed me and that a man of his standing would not have resigned because of sexual orientation or an extramarital affair.'
His attorney left open the possibility that Cipel may sue McGreevey for slander. While the Governor has never directly named Cipel as the man with whom he had an affair, his representatives have acknowledged that Cipel is the man in question. The Israeli citizen has maintained that he is heterosexual. He may also sue over accusations that he tried to extort money from the Governor.
McGreevey likewise resisted widespread editorial and bipartisan political pressure to step down before Sept. 5 so the state might hold a special election in November to choose his successor. Instead, he seems likely to serve until the Nov. 15 date he has announced for his retirement.
The Hudson Reporter said that Richard Cody, who will becoming acting Governor for the remainder of the term, is considering appointing McGreevey to head up the recently established state Stem Cell Institute.
Other possible legal action is in the hands of state and federal law enforcement officials.