James Edward “Jim” McGreevey was the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until November 15, 2004. Born in New Jersey to Irish Catholic parents, he graduated from the Columbia University in 1978. He went on to do his degree in law from the Georgetown University Law Center. He started his political career as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1990 to 1992. He was elected to the New Jersey Senate in 1993, simultaneously serving as mayor during the four-year Senate term. He made an unsuccessful attempt to be elected as the Governer in 1997. McGreevey won the Governer Election in 2001 with a 56% vote. Raising taxes on cigarettes and Stem Cell Research were some of the highlights of his tenure as a Governor. However he became controversial in due to various appointments he made. Golan Cipel, McGreevey’s homeland security adviser, was criticized for not having adequate experience for the post which he held. Cipel was an Israeli National and also did not get a security clearance from the government. The Record, a newspaper, published news alleging that McGreevey and Cipel were in a gay relationship. This raised a hue and cry about the relationship. It also prompted an Investigation into Cipel’s background. The Record published reports that the two met while traveling. McGreevey’s own mother was also supposed to have counseled McGreevey about his sexual orientation. After all the dust the scandal kicked up Cipel had to give up his post of homeland security advisor in 2002. But in 2004 Cipel threatened McGreevey with a sexual harassment suit. Under this threat McGeevey made a public announcement that he was gay. McGeevey resigned after holding office till 15 November 2004.