County Executive May Testify In Kevin Bannon Trial: Report

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes may be subpoenaed in the corruption trial of the former executive director of the Mercer County Park Commission and former Rutgers University men's basketball coach. Kevin Bannon, 60, of Lawrenceville, was previously indicted for using his position to divert thousands of dollars meant for the county to a non-profit he controlled.

He is also accused of arranging unauthorized benefits for himself, his family and others at county expense, according to Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. This includes VIP concert tickets and free golf at county golf courses. He has pleaded not guilty and isn’t interested in pursuing a plea deal.

His attorney recently told The Princeton Packet Hughes may be among the county officials subpoenaed to testify in the case.

“I don’t care who you are in Mercer County government, you are going to be subpoenaed to testify in this trial,” defense attorney Jack Furlong told the newspaper. An unidentified informant spoke to the Attorney General’s Office during the investigation, and although Furlong said he knows the person’s identity, he wants authorities to tell him who it is.

Bannon is charged with six counts of second-degree official misconduct; one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct; one count of second-degree misapplication of entrusted property and property of government; one count of third-degree theft by unlawful taking; and one count of third-degree theft of services.

The allegations are related to Bannon's "Friends of Mercer County Park" non-profit group. He ran the group with his brother, whom he allegedly hired as a project manager for the park commission so that he could run the non-profit, according to authorities. His brother is not charged in this investigation.

Bannon was fired after he was asked to take a temporary leavefollowing the revelation that the Mercer County Park Commission and the non-profit Friends of Mercer County Parks were the subjects of an inquiry by the Office of the State Attorney General. The non-profit was formed to support and promote the Park Commission. Bannon served Mercer County for over 12 years, and his attorney has called the allegations "laughable." Bannon was also the head coach for the Rutgers basketball team from 1997-98 to 2000-2001.

The attached image of Kevin Bannon was previously provided by the Attorney General's Office