By Letters to the Editor/The Jersey Journal

On Aug. 10, the lead editorial in the Sunday Star-Ledger was devoted to Secaucus Assemblyman Vincent Prieto. The editorial was entitled "Silence From the Speaker" and the online title, "Prieto shows why Christie's ethics reform is needed."

It seems that Mr. Prieto, who owes his present position to Mayor Nick Sacco, has done Sacco one better. Instead of being a triple-dipper, like Sacco, Mr. Prieto is a four-time dipper.

In addition to his $65,000 annual salary as Speaker of the Assembly, Prieto earns an additional $200,000 from his other public positions. As Speaker Mr. Prieto has been able to become a consultant for private clients which, as the editorial notes "... he's even added a fourth gig ..." The editor of the Star-Ledger wrote, "Not only is Prieto (D-Hudson) enriching himself off his public position, he's openly inviting conflicts of interest - and refusing to disclose his clients. That's not illegal, but it is unethical."

It seems that Assemblyman Prieto refuses to disclose who his clients are in his consulting business.

I would think that if the voters of North Bergen were to get rid of Nick Sacco in next year's election, we would then get some elected officials not looking to get rich off public funds.

RAPHAEL MUNOZ
NORTH BERGEN

EDITOR'S NOTE: Prieto is a code official in Secaucus and a construction official in Guttenberg.