Photo, ERPD Jason Shih, 25, or Paramus

By Alexis Tarrazi / Senior Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (Nov. 2, 2009, 12:45 p.m.) — 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.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Shih said he was the assistant deputy director for Corzine and that the campaign rented the 2008 Toyota he was driving.

East Rutherford Police Lt. Paul Cece also responded to the scene and located several tickets for the Sunday, Nov. 1 event where President Barack Obama and Corzine were to appear.

Shih also reportedly had 10 paychecks from the Middlesex County Democratic Committee in his possession. One paycheck for $1,500 was payable to Shih from the MCDC, according to reports.

“Mr. Shih stated the vehicle he was operating was rented for him by the ‘Corzine for Governor’ camp to distribute tickets and paychecks for the Middlesex County Democratic Committee,” stated Cece.

Judge George Savino set bail at $15,000 with a 10-percent option. Shih posted $1,500 and was released on summonses.

Calls to Corzine’s campaign office and MCDC were not returned as of press time.