UPDATE: New revelations from Sean Caddle, the campaign consultant convicted in a shocking murder-for-hire plot, raise serious questions about a stalled political corruption investigation. Caddle, currently serving a 24-year sentence at Fort Dix in New Jersey, claims the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark conducted a “sham” probe into a major pay-to-play scheme he was involved with.
In a series of prison interviews, Caddle asserted that despite his cooperation with federal prosecutors—beginning in 2021—the investigation yielded no substantial results. “I was never questioned [about] what I was doing wrong with those groups,” he stated, emphasizing the lack of actionable follow-up.
Caddle, 47, pleaded guilty in 2022 for orchestrating the murder of Michael Galdieri, a former friend and political ally, in 2014. Galdieri was the son of a former state senator, further complicating the political implications of Caddle’s actions. His cooperation agreement required him to assist federal investigators, but he now claims he was left hanging.
“We had tremendous interest initially,” Caddle recounted, but later he felt investigators showed little interest in delving deeper into the corrupt practices he allegedly witnessed. He offered insights about dark-money funds that skirt New Jersey’s campaign finance laws, which restrict government contractors from making campaign donations. However, he asserts that after his initial proffer, neither the FBI nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office followed up on his claims.
Caddle’s attorney, Edwin Jacobs, previously told the court that Caddle was collaborating with the FBI on an important investigation. However, according to Caddle, the only individual he was specifically asked about was Antonio Teixeira, a former chief of staff to state Senate President Nicholas Scutari. Teixeira was sentenced to eight months of house arrest and three years’ probation in 2023 after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion.
In a recorded conversation with his legal team, Caddle expressed frustration over the lack of inquiries into other potential accomplices in the corruption scheme. “I wish I could tell you they asked me about 37 people,” he lamented. “They didn’t even ask me about the other four people on the proffer.”
Caddle’s frustration extends to his interactions with Teixeira during the investigation. He recalls expressing concern that cooperating would endanger many in their network, to which Teixeira allegedly replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll be all right.” This has led Caddle to speculate that powerful figures may have protected Teixeira.
Authorities have declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation or why charges were not pursued. Legal experts suggest that it is not uncommon for cooperating witnesses to provide information that doesn’t lead to further charges. Peter Katz, a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer, explained that various factors could influence prosecutorial decisions, including manpower shortages and the nature of the evidence.
Caddle’s lengthy home arrest, during which he expected to be actively collaborating with investigators, has left him feeling played. “When it turned into a nothing burger, you’re shaking your head going, ‘What happened here?’” he remarked, reflecting the disillusionment of someone who believed his cooperation would lead to significant breakthroughs in a corruption case.
As the investigation remains largely dormant, the implications of Caddle’s claims could resonate throughout New Jersey’s political landscape. Many had speculated that his cooperation would uncover a larger corruption network, yet it now seems that the expected fallout may never materialize.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark has not provided any comments regarding Caddle’s allegations or the fate of the corruption investigation. As this story develops, it raises critical questions about accountability within political systems and the efficacy of corruption probes.
Readers are encouraged to stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds and the ramifications of Caddle’s claims continue to ripple through the political arena.