They had evidence

Did they, or did they say they had it? Did you see the actual hard evidence yourself? I don't have that much confidence when someone says he has evidence and the dog suddenly eats it.

he has been protected for years by the higher ups.

He was indicted in 2015 by none other than Jack Smith's steely-eyed gaze. I have no idea why, but they've been going after him for a while.

Why the protection ran out now I can't say, but he's well known in NJ for committing a wide variety of crimes.

Also known as just being a NJ politician.