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'Doing a Heck of a Job': New Jersey Governor Defends Hiring Official Once Jailed for Taking Bribes

Marcellus Jackson was hired in July for a $70,000-a-year job as a special assistant in the state Department of Education's Office of Civic and Social Engagement.

By Brent Johnson

Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday defended his administration's decision to hire a former Passaic City councilman who served prison time for taking bribes.

Marcellus Jackson was hired in July for a $70,000-a-year job as a special assistant in the state Department of Education's Office of Civic and Social Engagement. 

The administration deemed Jackson eligible for this new job after a legal review. Murphy, a fellow Democrat, said he would not "address" details of that process.

But the governor said "we feel completely comfortable with the process that Marcellus went through."

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