Corzine Campaign Denies Link to Busted Assistant Deputy Jason Shih: Dude Found With 19 Ecstasy Tabs, 100s of Drug-Dealer Baggies, and Party Paychecks

Look, the guy claims he's assistant deputy director to Democrat Jon Corzine's re-election campaign. But with that much incriminating evidence in the car, shoot, I'd play stupid too. (And, of course, with Republican Chris Christie edging ahead in the polls, Corzine's clinging on for dear life; for Christ's sake he can't deal with a totally fubar campaign drug bust at the same time). From the Leader (East Rutherford, New Jersey) "ERPD: Man Busted for Drugs Claimed He Was Corzine Campaign Staffer":

A Paramus man who claimed to be the assistant deputy director of Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s re-election campaign was arrested by East Rutherford police Friday, Oct. 30 for possession of Ecstasy.

Jason Shih, 25, was arrested and charged at 11:28 p.m. with possession of Ecstasy, possession of drugs with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, talking on a cell phone while driving and possession of drugs in a car.

East Rutherford Police Officer Mark Mehegan, who was on patrol, stopped Shih after observing him talking on his cell phone while driving on Route 17 South near Riggin Memorial Field. Mehegan described Shih as extremely nervous and reported his hands were trembling as he reached into the glove box for his information.

During the motor vehicle stop, Mehegan said he observed 19 Ecstasy pills in the center console cup and $661 in cash folded up in the ashtray. Police also reported locating several hundred clear plastic bags commonly used to package drugs.

More at the link.

It turns out Assistant Director Shih had reams of paychecks from the Middlesex County Democratic Committee. But hey, folks don't want to jump to any conclusions!

Big Hat Tip: Robert Stacy McCain, who's drafting off of the classic investigative blogging of the Libertarian Republican. Check also Moe Lane at Red State while you're at it, "Jason Shih, Jon Corzine, Ecstasy, and Middlesex County Democratic Committee Paychecks."

P.S. Picture published with express permission of the Leader, out of New Jersey, via the Libertarian Republican. Bloggers should credit the newspaper when posting Shih's photo.

Added: From Doug Ross, check this cached link for the "New Jersey Democratic State Cmte Expenditure Detail."