By VIRGINIA McCABE
Published Oct. 10, 2007

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has charged Atlantic City Realtor Frank “The Fish” Barbera for his participation in Operation Steal Pier. Barbera was working on behalf of potential developers and allegedly paid cash bribes to then Council President Craig Callaway.

After failed attempts to negotiate a favorable plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney General in New Jersey, Barbera attempted to take his own life by shooting himself in the chest at the sea wall in Atlantic City, according to an attorney with knowledge of the case. He was found inside his car with a gun at his feet.

Barbera is the former treasurer of the Atlantic County Republican Party. He resigned as treasurer, but served as the party’s officer at the time of the alleged crime. He was also a member of several public boards and civic organizations.

Bader Field is the land that brought “consultant” Barbera before the bar of justice, according to an affidavit signed by an FBI Special Agent involved with the case.

“On or about Jan. 27, 2005, Barbera allegedly told Callaway that, “you and I have to get squared away,” in connection with the development of Bader Field. The government also contends that Barbera said, “tell me what you want,” (in order to support him and the developers that he represented in connection with Bader Field.)

On March 4, Barbera told Callaway that he had been officially hired as a consultant for certain developers interested in Bader Field and the government also contends that Barbera said, “you and I can make an arraignment, let’s do a couple of grand per month. I’ll do what I can because you are helping me.”

Barbera allegedly discussed other developmental projects in the city and a lease agreement for a billboard project Barbera was involved in that required a vote by the city council.

The government stated that Barbera and Callaway met at Barbera’s Real Estate Office and paid Callaway $2,000 in cash stating that, “we are going to do that every month as long as, you know.”

On May 17, June 15 and July 18, Barbera paid Callaway $1,000 in cash intending to influence and reward Callaway in his job as council president in connection with his business.

The government has not released the names of the developers Barbera was working for at the time of the bribes.

Before being sent to prison, Callaway spoke of the many phases of “Operation Steal Pier,” and the outside influences who were trying to control the sale of Bader Field and Garden Pier. He spoke of a power struggle between tycoons and politicians. There is a struggle going on to control the future of the projects, according to Callaway.

Callaway expressed the opinion that many citizens wanted to see residential development on the water while others wanted to see rezoning and casino development.

Callaway said that it was the “consultants” DeNick and Barbera that asked him to continue stalling the project while they collected more fees from the companies that hired them.

The FBI continues to monitor the plans to sell and develop Bader Field and Garden Pier.