NEWARK, N.J., April 18 (UPI) -- FBI agents raided the Newark, N.J., offices of Essex County Executive James Treffinger Thursday morning, but declined to say what they were looking for.
Treffinger, a self-described conservative Republican, is one of five candidates seeking the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in New Jersey.
There was no immediate comment from Treffinger's office. An answering machine message said no one was available to talk.
Sandra Carroll, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Newark, N.J., however, confirmed that a raid took place.
"I can't give you any details," Carroll told United Press International. "The only thing I am able to do is confirm that there was a search at that location."
She said the search was "in connection with a criminal investigation," but she said she could not confirm that Treffinger was the target of that investigation.
Carroll also would not say what was taken from the office, if anything.
She did say there were no arrests.
Treffinger, who became Essex County Executive on Jan. 1, 1995, is perceived as the front-runner for the nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert G. Torricelli in the fall.
Also running in the June GOP primary are longtime Burlington County Republican leader and former Philadelphia news anchor Diane Allen; Douglas Forrester, a wealthy businessman from Mercer County; State Sen. John Matheussen of Gloucester County; and Assemblyman Guy Gregg of Morris County.
Just last week New Jersey's largest anti-abortion rights organization endorsed Matheussen, saying he is the only Republican candidate who has been a consistent abortion foe.
"On the one issue that matters to pro-life Republicans, Sen. Matheussen offers voters a clear choice," Marie Tasy, director of public affairs for New Jersey Right to Life, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
