Judge blocks regulator’s ouster from redevelopment panel

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

TRENTON, N.J. -- A Superior Court judge on Tuesday blocked acting Gov. Richard J. Codey's attempt to remove New Jersey's top casino regulator from her spot on a panel that oversees the distribution of millions of dollars of casino revenue for redevelopment projects in the state.

Judge M. Allan Vogelson, sitting in Camden, issued a temporary injunction against bouncing Linda Kassekert from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority's board and set a Sept. 30 court date to hear the matter.

Kassekert, chairwoman of the Casino Control Commission, filed her challenge in Camden County, where she lives.

"This is nothing more than an offensive and unprecedented act of political retaliation, attempting to remove a highly respected competent female leader from a leadership position in government," said Kassekert's lawyer, William Tambussi. "It was done without regard to the law and was appropriately thwarted by the court."

The state Attorney General's Office appealed the injunction to the Appellate Division of Superior Court Tuesday. Vogelson stayed his injunction, pending action by the appellate court.