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Brick City Backhander: Feds Charge Newark Councilman With Taking Payoffs For Influence
Federal agents caught a sitting Newark City Council member pocketing payoffs in exchange for influence, authorities said Tuesday.
West Ward Councilman Joseph A. McCallum Jr., 65, was charged with soliciting and collecting bribes and kickbacks at the same time that a consultant from the city, 60-year-old Malik Frederick, was pleading guilty to his role in the scheme, they said.
McCallum “schemed to receive concealed bribes and kickbacks from Frederick, funded by developers, contracting companies, and other businesses seeking contracts and approvals principally related to development, constru…
Former Newark Officer Admits Taking Nearly $100K In Bribes From Brothel Owners
A former Newark police officer admitted he took more than $100,000 in bribes from brothel owners as protection money, authorities said.
Julio I. Rivera, 50, of Old Bridge, pleaded guilty to two counts of a 14-count indictment, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.
A brothel owner on Emmet and Lafayette streets in Newark gave cash to Rivera, who in exchange protected the establishments and others from police, according to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Newark.
The officer accepted between $40,000 and $95,000 from the owner, authorities said.
Payments from that owner began…
