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Friday, Aug. 13, 2004

Joe Kyrillos, chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, called on McGreevey to "do the right thing" and step down right away.

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McGreevey said his affair with a man threatened to undermine his "ability to govern."

'More Awkward Stories'

Kyrillos on Friday said rumors about the affair, as well his "suspicion that there will be more awkward stories in the days and weeks to come," prompted his call for McGreevey to quit immediately.

He should "resign now," Kyrillos said at a news conference.

"His decision is bigger than Jim McGreevey. It transcends one person, one governor. It's a much bigger issue. This is something that impacts everyone in the state of New Jersey," Kyrillos said.

McGreevey spokeswoman Juliet Johnson said GOP leaders were trying to use the situation for political gain.

"It is unfortunate they are playing politics with an intensely personal decision," said Johnson. "He made the decision to allow for an orderly transition. It's absurd to think you can hand over the reins in just days."

A day earlier, McGreevey made his shocking revelation with his second wife at his side.

"My truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said. He described decades of sexual confusion that dogged him through two marriages and ultimately led him to an act he called "wrong, foolish and inexcusable."

"Given the circumstances surrounding the affair and its likely impact upon my family and my ability to govern, I have decided the right course of action is to resign," he said, without elaborating on what the circumstances were.

Poet and a Security Adviser

Two sources close to McGreevey, both speaking on condition of anonymity, said the man involved in the affair was Golan Cipel, an Israeli poet who briefly was the state's homeland security adviser.

One source, a senior McGreevey political adviser, said Cipel threatened McGreevey several weeks ago that unless he was paid "millions of dollars," Cipel would file a lawsuit charging the governor with sexual harassment.

Cipel could not be reached for comment. An FBI spokesman did not confirm reports that McGreevey's office called the bureau Thursday to complain about Cipel asking for money.

Cipel was named to the newly created homeland security post without any background check or official announcement.

"I know Golan and have worked with him closely," McGreevey told The Record of Bergen County at the time. "He's a super-bright and super-competent individual who brings a great wealth of knowledge on security."

Amid questions about what Cipel did to earn his $110,000 salary, he was reassigned in March 2002 to a "special counsel" job. A few months later, Cipel left his government position.

McGreevey, 47, refused to answer questions after his statement. He said "it makes little difference that as governor I am gay," but added that staying in office and keeping the affair and his sexual orientation secret would leave the governor's office "vulnerable to rumors, false allegations and threats of disclosure."

McGreevey said his resignation would be effective Nov. 15, 11 days after the coming general election.

'He Brought a Lot of Passion'

Across New Jersey, people listened to their radios or gathered around TV sets to listen to McGreevey's live news conference, and many were left in shock.

"It's a shame," said Jim Nerney, 48, of Middletown. "He brought a lot of passion to the governor's office, but the fact is that it's not accepted in today's society, and he's paying the consequences."

"His sexual orientation doesn't matter to me. I feel he's done a good job, holding the line on taxes," said Donald Bowman, 52, of Kearny, a school district worker in Newark.

Senate President Richard J. Codey, a Democrat, will become acting governor and serve the remainder of McGreevey's term, which ends in early 2006. If McGreevey were to leave office before Sept. 3, a special election would be held.

It's Just 'Homophobia'

Gay rights groups expressed support and compassion for McGreevey, but their reactions were tinged with sorrow because McGreevey announced his resignation just as he became the nation's first openly gay governor.

"It is kind of stunning, sad to me that in 2004 people are still having to struggle because of homophobia in society to come to terms with who they are," said Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal.

McGreevey had a daughter with his first wife, Kari, who lives in British Columbia with the child. He has another daughter with his current wife, Dina. McGreevey spokesman Micah Rasmussen declined to answer any questions about the future of the marriage.

McGreevey rose from mayor of suburban Woodbridge to state chief executive by his tenacious pursuit of party politics, winning the Statehouse in November 2001 by beating Republican Bret Schundler by 15 percentage points.

String of Scandals

Scandal marred McGreevey's tenure following questions over a series of questionable appointments, including Cipel's.

McGreevey also came under fire in 2002 for hiring a state police superintendent who had a criminal record. Last year, two former aides were targeted in a federal probe investigating whether they used their political ties to secure business for their billboard company.

This year, a Democrat fund-raiser and former high school classmate of McGreevey's was charged with trying to extort campaign donations from a farmer in exchange for help in selling his land.

Last month, the governor's commerce secretary quit amid reports he funneled money to businesses he owned with family members, and McGreevey's top campaign donor was charged with conspiracy, obstructing a federal investigation and promoting prostitution.

© 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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