Austin Edwards condemns “culture of corruption” in Trenton City Hall after employee sentenced for stealing tax dollars

This week, a Trenton Health Department official was sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit theft, embezzlement, and fraud — the latest in a string of corruption cases involving Trenton public officials. Andre Trott and four other city hall employees stole more than $215,000 meant for lead removal and senior meals by billing for overtime hours nobody worked.

In response to the sentencing, Austin Edwards, candidate for Mayor and a former Deputy Attorney General for New Jersey who prosecuted public corruption cases, released the following statement:

“This theft of taxpayer dollars went on for years before anyone noticed, and it didn’t happen in a vacuum. There is a culture of corruption in Trenton City Hall that starts at the top. From Trenton’s health department to our recreation department, to our police department to Trenton Water Works, we’ve seen investigation after investigation into fraud, theft, no-bid contracts, and fiscal mismanagement. We need to clean house, open up the books, and audit everything. Our city can’t afford to waste tax dollars like this.

“Trenton families deserve a City Hall that works for them. When I served as Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, I took on public officials who tried to cheat the system and steal taxpayer dollars. I know how to find corruption and root it out, and that’s what I plan on doing for Trenton. Trenton can’t keep electing the same people who promote the same culture and expect different results.”

The general election for Mayor of Trenton is on November 3, 2026.