Published: The Courier, Jan. 31, 2008

Almost three years after his arrest during the Operation Bid Rig sweep, former Keyport Mayor John Merla left a message for his hometown before he departed for prison.

"This [is my] opportunity to honestly, truthfully and from the bottom of my heart apologize to those that I love, to the people of Keyport and to those who put faith, their vote and stock in [me]," Merla said. "I can honestly tell [you] that I made a mistake, I'll pay for my mistake and in two years my life will continue on."

Merla took leave of the Bayshore town on Jan. 8 to begin his 22-month sentence at the federal prison camp in Lewisburg, Pa. The ex-mayor received his sentence on Oct. 23, 2007, after pleading guilty to one of eight charges, specifically accepting bribes as a public official.

Confident that he would have proved his innocence for seven of the eight charges, Merla cited finances and "the gamble" as the reasons for his plea bargain.

"I made the decision [to accept the plea bargain] on my own. It wasn't worth the gamble because I did know that I was guilty of one of those charges," Merla explained. He was convicted of accepting $2,500 in connection with a contract for work on a bulkhead in Keyport, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Merla characterized his arrest as a "raw deal." The former mayor urged those who doubt him to review the surveillance tapes that comprise the investigation.

According to Merla, the amount of times he said "No" to bribes greatly outnumbered the points where he faltered. Merla noted the unfair persistence of the federal investigators in targeting him

"It's like putting a tray of cookies in front of five 10 year olds and telling them mommy made them. If the 10 year old said, 'We're good without the cookies,' by the third or fourth time you ask them —they're gonna take the cookie," Merla said.

A Tainted Target?

According to the former mayor, he could have been targeted in the Operation Bid Rig investigation due to his growing role in Monmouth County Republican Party politics. Once deemed a "shining star" by the county GOP, Merla held a leadership role in the Bayshore Republican Conference as well as the reform group known as Monmouth County GOP For Change.

Monmouth County GOP For Change is largely credited with being the group that helped remove long-standing Monmouth Republican Chairman William Dowd in 2004. Monmouth GOP For Change lobbied for the election of former Monmouth Republican Chairman Frederick Niemann, who departed office in 2006. Merla was one of the founders of Monmouth County GOP For Change and a group spokesman.

Merla said his groups strove to make changes in the county and had been gaining strength for some time. However, the attention and recognition was not always positive, he said.

"There were people on the outside [of these new groups] that didn't want us to succeed. [Those people] didn't want us to bring together a new group or a change,” Merla explained. "It probably made a lot of people’s days when they saw John Merla was arrested."

Since his departure from the party shortly after his arrest, Merla characterized the GOP as "in shambles." He said power struggles and a lack of "new blood" have paralyzed the party in its current state.

The former mayor said he made the party stronger when he joined the GOP about 25 years ago. Merla characterized the early Republican Party as a vehicle of opportunity. However, he displayed concern for the future of the GOP on county and state levels.

"I think that today there is a lot of greed [in politics]. There is old blood in new suits," Merla said. "There are a lot of elected officials that like the part, but not the job that goes along with it. I love the job   — it meant more to me than anything in the world."

Merla completed his term as Keyport mayor in December 2006, regardless of the GOP's request that he step down due to his arrest.

Merla: Then and Now

Although disappointed about being so far from his family while serving his prison sentence — just under 200 miles — Merla noted the joy he received from his loved ones this holiday season.

"We are a tight family and they have always been my strength. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, the past few months were tough," Merla said. The family man said he was glad he would only serve one Christmas away from home, rather than two.

Two things were still able to put a smile on the ex-mayor's face during this holiday season: His two children, Giovanni and Dominique.

Merla said being present for his daughter's recent cheerleading competition was an "unbelievable experience.” However, the 46-year-old said he was deeply touched by a Christmas gift he received from his son.

"It was a hat that said 'Greatest Dad.' Something like that means a lot because I know he meant it," Merla explained.

In addition to handling his family priorities, Merla said he tried to visit people he would not see for the duration of his sentence.

Keyport, Jail and Beyond
 
Although he enjoyed serving his community, Merla said he is looking forward to a new line of business at the conclusion of his punishment.

"I want to do a lot of reading and studying [while inside prison because] I do have plans to go into business with a partner when I get out," Merla explained. "I want to be ready, focused and willing to start this opportunity by the time I get out.”

Characterizing it as a mystery, Merla declined to elaborate on the details of his plan. However, the lifelong resident did reveal that he might not return to Keyport after finishing his prison term.

"I love Keyport, don't get me wrong. I was born here, I was raised here, I was the youngest councilman [at 23] and the youngest mayor at 28," Merla explained.

Reminiscing over the years, Merla said the good things, times and people in the borough outweighed anything bad, but he reiterated that there was a strong possibility he would not return to his hometown.

Regardless of his future, Merla said his faith would remain a cornerstone of his everyday life. Merla believes that those who have stood by him have forgiven him and that other people will do so in time.

In serving his prison term and continuing on with his life, the former mayor said he hoped to be a role model for those who are just entering politics.

"I want them to look at me and say 'There is someone who tried to and did make a difference. [He] made a mistake, came out and didn't hide under a shell.' I want them to look back and think of John Merla as a role model," the former mayor concluded.