NJ Political Operative's Plea In Murder Of Hudson County Consultant Sends Shockwaves

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Even for New Jersey politics, observers were shocked last week by news that a Democratic political consultant — who had worked on campaigns for longtime State Sen. Ray Lesniak — pleaded guilty to hiring hit men to kill a fellow consultant in 2014. And the victim, according to numerous sources, was a state senator's son whose mysterious death in Jersey City had never been solved.

Prosecutors announced Wednesday that Sean Caddle, 44, of Hamburg, had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder for hire.

Prosecutors said Caddle "admitted arranging and paying for a murder by two other people. His admission of guilt means he will now pay for his crime."

Outlets reported that the victim in the 2014 crime was Michael Galdieri of Jersey City, the son of former State Sen. James Galdieri (D-Jersey City). Michael Galdieri was stabbed to death on May 22, 2014 and his residence set on fire. The murder date mentioned in the releases was May 22, 2014.

Sources said that Michael Galdieri was working with Caddle at Caddle's political consulting firm at the time.

Prosecutors also said in a separate release that Bomani Africa, 61, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to co-conspiring to commit murder for hire with Caddle. The other co-conspirator was a Connecticut-based man, prosecutors said.

Both Caddle and the other man have been cooperating with authorities, NJ.com reported.

Galdieri's father was well known in New Jersey politics and had served as an attorney to the Hoboken and Jersey City Housing Authorities at various points.

The fact that Caddle is on home detention has drawn many to wonder if he's cooperating in several political cases. The New York Times reported Sunday that Caddle's lawyer said he was cooperating with the FBI in an "important investigation."

Link To Another Case?

On Sunday, three major newspapers reported that a son of former New Jersey Transportation Commissioner John Sheridan asked Somerset County prosecutors on Friday to take another look at the death of Commissioner Sheridan and his wife in September, 2014 under mysterious circumstances.

That year, the two were stabbed and their bedroom was set on fire. Somerset County officials eventually ruled the case a murder-suicide, something the couple's sons did not believe — and the finding was later overturned.

Observers: 'Horrible'

Last week, even those who've long studied the dark side of New Jersey politics — massive bribery dragnets, voter fraud, nepotism, and no-show jobs — were shocked by the news.

"That Sopranos/Jersey Shore/Veep crossover no one was asking for," Tweeted one observer.

Politico New Jersey called the story "horrible and crazy — even by NJ standards," adding this particular nugget: "One of the many crazy things about this is that Caddle was working as recently as yesterday."

Even the British press covered the story.

But why did Galdieri end up dead?

Some say it happened at the end of an Elizabeth campaign, over money. Others had speculated years ago in a column in the weekly Hudson Reporter, "Who Murdered Michael Galdieri," that there were a host of issues. Galdieri had pleaded guilty in Hudson County to drug charges in 2007, but was said to lead a quiet life since then.

Galdieri's obituary said, "Michael was a kind-hearted gentleman that would help anyone in need in the community. He was very passionate about politics."

Last week, Galdieri's brother posted on Facebook, "I had resolved myself to the fact that who ever did this to my brother got away with murder...well ..almost 8 years later, at 7 am this morning, 3 FBI agents rang my bell... They got 'em, Mike..they got em."

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