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Bribery

Andy Kim Wins Senate Race Replacing Bob Menendez Andy Kim Wins Senate Race Replacing Bob Menendez
Andy Kim Wins Senate Race Replacing Bob Menendez Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., won the election to the United States Senate, defeating Republican challenger Curtis Bashaw. BREAKING: Kamala Harris Wins New Jersey The Associated Press made Kim's call Tuesday, Nov. 5 just as polls closed at 8 p.m. Kim will be filling the seat left vacant following the resignation of former Sen. Rob Menendez, D-NJ, who was convicted of felony corruption and bribery charges. Kim will be appointed to the seat by Gov. Phil Murphy after his election is certified. Kim will be the first Asian American senator from the Garden State and the first Korean senator from any s…
Election Day 2024: How To Vote In New Jersey Election Day 2024: How To Vote In New Jersey
Election Day 2024: How To Vote In New Jersey New Jersey, it's time to cast your vote.  Aside from the national race for president between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, there are races in all 12 of the state's Congressional districts. Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw, a hotel developer, are vying for the vacant seat left by Democrat Bob Menendez, who was convicted in a federal bribery scheme, and more. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can click here to find your polling place.  You can also drop a mail ballot at your county's Board of Elections office or in the drop boxes across…
120 Accuse Sean 'Diddy' Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report 120 Accuse Sean 'Diddy' Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report
120 Accuse Sean 'Diddy' Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report The legal troubles faced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, a New York native, are far from over, as the hip-hop mogul is facing allegations of sexual assault from over 100 new accusers, according to a report by NBC News.  Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1 that he is currently representing 120 people with various allegations against Combs occurring over two decades, NBC reported.  These accusations against Combs, a New York City native who grew up in Westchester County's Mount Vernon, include sexual assault or rape; facilitated sex with a controlled substance;…
Alleged Bribes, Illegal Campaign Cash: Feds Lay Out Case Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams Alleged Bribes, Illegal Campaign Cash: Feds Lay Out Case Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Alleged Bribes, Illegal Campaign Cash: Feds Lay Out Case Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams Federal authorities released the indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday, Sept. 26, laying out their case for corruption, bribery, and misuse of public funds, reports said.  Federal investigators have charged the 64-year-old Democrat with five counts, including conspiracy to receive illegal foreign campaign contributions, wire fraud, and bribery, said Damian Williams, the US. attorney for the Southern District of New York in a news conference.  Click here to read the complete indictment from the SDNY. Here is what those allegations are as summari…
NJ Real Estate Developer Fred Daibes Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud NJ Real Estate Developer Fred Daibes Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud
NJ Real Estate Developer Fred Daibes Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud Fred Daibes, a 67-year-old real estate developer previously convicted of bribing disgraced New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, pleaded guilty to bank fraud on Thursday, Sept, 5, authorities said. The former CEO and chairman of the board of directors at Mariner's Bank pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to making false entries in connection with a $1.8 million loan from his bank in 2008, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said. Daibes said the line of credit was for someone else, when it was actually for his benefit, Sellinger said. The loan said the source of repayment would be from the p…
NJ Mailman Found Guilty Of Taking Bribes To Transport Drugs: Feds NJ Mailman Found Guilty Of Taking Bribes To Transport Drugs: Feds
NJ Mailman Found Guilty Of Taking Bribes To Transport Drugs: Feds A 49-year-old former mailman and Union resident was convicted in federal court on Thursday, Aug. 15 of taking bribes to deliver drugs through the mail, authorities said.  For five years, from 2015 to 2010, Emerson Pavilus received cash payments in exchange for helping individuals intercept packages containing illegal narcotics and other illicit materials while working as a mailman in Flanders, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Pavilus provided his conspirators with addresses for vacant houses along his mail route to which they could ship illegal packages, Sellinger said. P…
Essex County Correctional Officer Took Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates: Feds Essex County Correctional Officer Took Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates: Feds
Essex County Correctional Officer Took Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates: Feds A 36-year-old Jersey City resident and former Essex County correctional officer admitted on Wednesday, July 17, to accepting $14,000 in bribes to smuggle in tobacco and a cell phone to inmates, authorities said. In January 2023, Efrin Wade, who worked at the jail for three years, began communicating with an individual whom he believed was seeking to smuggle in contraband to sell to other inmates, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. The individual was actually an undercover FBI agent, Sellinger said. Wade agreed to smuggle in tobacco and cell phones, prohibited for inmates at the facil…
Ex-Deputy Mayor Of Newark Admits Taking $25K Bribe In Restaurant Bathroom: Feds Ex-Deputy Mayor Of Newark Admits Taking $25K Bribe In Restaurant Bathroom: Feds
Ex-Deputy Mayor Of Newark Admits Taking $25K Bribe In Restaurant Bathroom: Feds Carmelo Garcia, who previously served as deputy mayor of Newark and one term in the state General Assembly, admitted to taking $25,000 in bribes, federal authorities said.  Garcia, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiring with two Newark business owners to obtain corrupt payments intended to influence and reward him for assisting them with the acquisition and redevelopment of various city-owned properties while serving on the Newark Department Economic and Housing Development, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Between 2017 and 2019, Garcia sought and received significant mone…
Embattled Senator Bob Menendez Announces Wife Has Breast Cancer Embattled Senator Bob Menendez Announces Wife Has Breast Cancer
Embattled Senator Bob Menendez Announces Wife Has Breast Cancer Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who is facing federal corruption charges said his wife, Nadine, is battling breast cancer. “Nadine is suffering from Grade 3 breast cancer, which will require her to have mastectomy surgery,” Menendez said. “We are of course, concerned about the seriousness and advanced stage of the disease. She will require follow up surgery and possibly radiation treatment.” Like her husband, Nadine Menendez is facing corruption and bribery charges. While the senator's trial is currently underway, her trial was pushed back due to medical concerns. Her trial is currently schedu…
Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted
Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted UPDATE: A corrections officer who was charged with collecting up to $500 a month in bribes to smuggle cold cuts, espresso, jewelry and cologne into a New Jersey prison for a convict known as “Tommy Two Times” is now under indictment. Werner Gramajo, a 46-year-old senior correctional officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, admitted only to delivering the pressed meats -- and not any of the other items -- after he was caught, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Gramajo, of Newark, also claimed that he wasn’t paid for it, Platkin said in announcing the indictment on Wednes…
NJ Voters To Sen. Menendez: Resign NJ Voters To Sen. Menendez: Resign
NJ Voters To Sen. Menendez: Resign New Jersey residents have a very unfavorable view of Bob Menendez. A Stockton University poll found just eight percent of New Jersey residents support Menendez, who was recently indicted on federal bribery charges, along with his wife, Nadine.  The poll found more than 71 percent said he should resign, and only eight percent want him to remain in office. The call for his resignation was bipartisan, with 78 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of Republicans in support. The couple has denied the allegations in the indictment. A majority of his Democratic colleagues have called on the se…
Did Menendez's Wife Get Special Treatment In Fatal 2018 Crash? AG Investigating: Report Did Menendez's Wife Get Special Treatment In Fatal 2018 Crash? AG Investigating: Report
Did Menendez's Wife Get Special Treatment In Fatal 2018 Crash? AG Investigating: Report Did Nadine Arslanian, the wife of indicted Senator Bob Menendez, get special treatment by police after she fatally struck a pedestrian in Bogota in December 2018?  The state's top prosecutor is apparently looking to find out. According to NBC New York, investigators from the New Jersey Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity & Accountability were at the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Thursday, Oct. 5, seeking documents related to the incident.  In an e-mail to Daily Voice, the AG's office said they do not confirm or deny investigations. Arslanian, who w…
Menendez Accepted Benz As Bribe Following Fatal Wreck Caused By His Wife In Bergen: Reports Menendez Accepted Benz As Bribe Following Fatal Wreck Caused By His Wife In Bergen: Reports
Menendez Accepted Benz As Bribe Following Fatal Wreck Caused By His Wife In Bergen: Reports A fatal 2018 car crash in Bergen County involving his wife is what led to embattled New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez accepting bribes to influence a criminal case, according to the federal indictment levied against him.  Nadine Arslanian, the now-wife of embattled Senator Robert Menendez, was involved in a fatal car crash in Bogota in 2018, according to The New York Times. The couple, who married in 2020, were dating at the time of the incident. Arslanian, who was also named in the federal indictments accusing Menendez of accepting bribes from the government of Egypt, among other indiscreti…
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez Indicted On Federal Bribery Charges Democratic Senator Bob Menendez Indicted On Federal Bribery Charges
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez Indicted On Federal Bribery Charges Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey was indicted Friday on federal corruption charges that include allegations of him secretly supporting the government of Egypt and trying to influence U.S. prosecutors' case against Bergen County real estate magnate Fred Daibes. Mendendez, 69, who's chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made several moves in exchange for bribes, some of which were passed to his wife, Nadine Arsianian, a sweeping indictment unsealed on Sept. 22 alleges. A staggering array of charges were brought by the grand jurors in the Southern District of N…
Ex-Con At Morris County Pharmacy Admits Bribing Jersey City Docs For $2.4M In 'Script Business Ex-Con At Morris County Pharmacy Admits Bribing Jersey City Docs For $2.4M In 'Script Business
Ex-Con At Morris County Pharmacy Admits Bribing Jersey City Docs For $2.4M In 'Script Business A former Morris County pharmacist once convicted of selling oxycodone without prescriptions admitted masterminding a kickback scheme that steered $2.4 million worth of business to his new employer, federal authorities said. Srinivasa Raju, 51, of Haskell, began the new scam at another Morris County pharmacy after serving three years probation -- and losing his pharmacist's license -- following his 2016 state conviction. SEE: Jurors Convict Clifton Pharmacist In Oxycodone Scheme While in that job, Raju "worked with other pharmacy personnel to pay kickbacks and bribes to medical employees in…
Essex Corrections Officer Helped Inmate Smuggle Tobacco: Prosecutor Essex Corrections Officer Helped Inmate Smuggle Tobacco: Prosecutor
Essex Corrections Officer Helped Inmate Smuggle Tobacco: Prosecutor A corrections police officer in Essex County helped an inmate smuggle tobacco into prison, authorities said. Christopher Smoaks, a senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, has been arrested and charged with bribery in official matters and conspiracy, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II Smoaks, 31, of Jersey City, allegedly received payment from an inmate’s relative in return for smuggling suspected tobacco to the inmate on Oct. 16, Stephens said.  He was arrested inside the prison the following day after investigators …
13 Chinese Nationals Charged With Multiple Acts Of Espionage By Feds In Washington, NJ, NY 13 Chinese Nationals Charged With Multiple Acts Of Espionage By Feds In Washington, NJ, NY
13 Chinese Nationals Charged With Multiple Acts Of Espionage By Feds In Washington, NJ, NY Thirteen people, including members of China’s security and intelligence services, have been charged with trying to recruit professors and others in the United States to act as agents for their country, federal authorities in New York, New Jersey and Washington, DC announced. Tales of international intrigue include allegations that the defendants plotted to steal documents from a federal prosecutor's office to subvert a criminal investigation into a major Chinese company. Some of them are also charged in a spy-versus-spy encounter involving a $41,000 bribe in Bitcoin paid to an American…
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor 4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
NJ Borough's Dem Leader Took Cash In Attempt To Influence Criminal Case: Prosecutor NJ Borough's Dem Leader Took Cash In Attempt To Influence Criminal Case: Prosecutor
NJ Borough's Dem Leader Took Cash In Attempt To Influence Criminal Case: Prosecutor The chairman of Sayreville's Democratic party and employee with the NJ Turnpike Authority has been charged with accepting thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for "influencing a a criminal case," authorities said. Thomas V. Pollando — the borough's former council president and current VP of the Middlesex County Planning Board — was caught between July and August 2022 accepting the cash and saying he'd attempt to use his political clout to influence an ongoing criminal case, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone  said. Pollando, 72, of Parlin, served as the long-time pres…
NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car
NJ Woman Sentenced For Trying To Steal Gun From Impounded Car A South Jersey woman will spend a year and a day in federal prison for trying to bribe the operator of an impound lot to break into a police-seized vehicle and steal a gun. Saidah "Sacha" Davis, 42, went to the home of a Camden tow lot operator along with ex-con Anthony "Papa Smurf" Parker after his vehicle was seized, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Detectives were waiting for a judge to approve a warrant to search the vehicle, which Davis said created a "problem" for Parker, who'd previously served time on weapons offenses, he said. Davis, of Woodlynne, offered $2,000 to the…
Brick City Bribery: Newark Councilman Admits Taking Kickbacks Brick City Bribery: Newark Councilman Admits Taking Kickbacks
Brick City Bribery: Newark Councilman Admits Taking Kickbacks A sitting Newark councilman admitted pocketing payoffs in exchange for influence, federal authorities said. West Ward Councilman Joseph A. McCallum Jr., 66, schemed to receive under-the-table bribes and kickbacks from consultant Malik Frederick, an FBI complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Newark says. The kickbacks were "funded by developers, contracting companies, and other businesses seeking contracts and approvals principally related to development, construction, and real estate projects and deals in Newark,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Frederick solicited the de…
Businessman Admits Laundering $653M In Drug Money Through Banks In NJ, NY, PA Businessman Admits Laundering $653M In Drug Money Through Banks In NJ, NY, PA
Businessman Admits Laundering $653M In Drug Money Through Banks In NJ, NY, PA A businessman admitted laundering what a federal prosecutor called a "staggering" $653 million in drug money by bribing employees in banks and other financial institutions in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Da Ying Sze, 43, of Queens said during a plea hearing in U.S. District Court in Newark on Tuesday, Feb. 22, that he deposited the cash into accounts in the names of shell companies and conspirators. Sze said he laundered the money from 2016 to 2021 by buying bank checks, writing personal and business checks and making international and domestic wires to thousands of individuals an…
Ex-Newark Officer Who Took Payoffs To Protect Prostitutes Gets Nearly 4 Years In Fed Pen Ex-Newark Officer Who Took Payoffs To Protect Prostitutes Gets Nearly 4 Years In Fed Pen
Ex-Newark Officer Who Took Payoffs To Protect Prostitutes Gets Nearly 4 Years In Fed Pen A retired Newark police veteran who admitted pocketing tens of thousands of dollars to protect city whorehouses while he was on the beat was sentenced to a little under four years in federal prison. Julio I. Rivera, 52, of Old Bridge, not only looked the other way: He also promised to have fellow officers do the same and agreed to crack down on a paying brothel owner's competitor, authorities said. Rivera pulled down between $200 and $800 a week from the operators, according to a 14-count indictment on file in U.S. District Court in Newark. The indictment charged Rivera with several counts…
NJ Man Admits Bribing Postal Workers To Steal Credit Cards From Mail To Fuel Shopping Sprees NJ Man Admits Bribing Postal Workers To Steal Credit Cards From Mail To Fuel Shopping Sprees
NJ Man Admits Bribing Postal Workers To Steal Credit Cards From Mail To Fuel Shopping Sprees A Union County man admitted bribing postal employees to steal credit cards that federal authorities said he then activated and used on shopping sprees. Syid Boyd, 26, of Union, paid the government workers in cash for the stolen cards from the mail, then activated them "by posing as the actual account holders," Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said. He then bought himself electronics and other items at various retail stores throughout New Jersey, she said. Rather than face trial, Boyd took a deal from the government, pleading guilty via videoconference with a federal ju…
NJ Doc Took Bribes From Pharma Company For Toxic Fentanyl Prescriptions: Feds NJ Doc Took Bribes From Pharma Company For Toxic Fentanyl Prescriptions: Feds
NJ Doc Took Bribes From Pharma Company For Toxic Fentanyl Prescriptions: Feds A doctor from Central Jersey is accused of taking bribes and kickbacks in exchange for prescribing potentially fatal doses of fentanyl, authorities said. Mukaram Gazi, 51, of Marlboro in Monmouth County was charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, receiving kickbacks, health care fraud and conspiring to unlawfully distribute dangerous narcotics, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig. According to Thursday's indictment: Gazi owned a urology practice with offices in Freehold, Hamilton, Howell and Toms River.  Gazi received more than $130,000 in bribes and…
Passaic Prosecutor: Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness With Cash, Car, More Passaic Prosecutor: Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness With Cash, Car, More
Passaic Prosecutor: Duo Tried To Bribe Child Sex Assault Victim, Witness With Cash, Car, More A Passaic County man and a companion tried to bribe a child sex assault victim and a witness with cash, tuition assistance – even a car -- to change their stories, authorities said. Sergio Bernal, 33, of Passaic was originally charged with sex assaults on the underage victim at various residences in Passaic from October 2013 to August 2020, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Thursday. A judge ordered that he remained held in the Passaic County Jail pending trial. Both Bernal and Maricella Gonzalez, 52, of Garfield then tried to get the victim and witness to recant their state…
Indictment: Inmate In Burned-Body Case Got Drugs, More Into NJ Prison Through Sister, Guard Indictment: Inmate In Burned-Body Case Got Drugs, More Into NJ Prison Through Sister, Guard
Indictment: Inmate In Burned-Body Case Got Drugs, More Into NJ Prison Through Sister, Guard A New Jersey convict serving time for helping burn a shooting victim's body distributed drugs, mini-cellphones and other contraband to fellow inmates with help from his sister and a crooked correctional officer, authorities charged. James "NuNu" Todd, 30, and his sister, Hassanah Todd, 32, paid the now-former officer to smuggle items that included synthetic cannabinoid -- otherwise known as "K2' -- into Northern State Prison in Newark, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said Tuesday. Todd had been serving time there following his 2013 conviction for helping another man dispose of the b…
Prosecutor: Alleged Kidnap Victim Of Instagram Influencer Took $100,000 Payoff To Change Story Prosecutor: Alleged Kidnap Victim Of Instagram Influencer Took $100,000 Payoff To Change Story
Prosecutor: Alleged Kidnap Victim Of Instagram Influencer Took $100,000 Payoff To Change Story The twisting tale of a Wayne man allegedly kidnapped by Instagram influencer “Jay Mazini” took another turn when Bergen County authorities charged him with taking a $100,000 bribe to back off his story. Amjad Mashal, 29, was arrested outside his business in Clifton, where detectives also found drugs, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Friday. The trouble began when “Mazini” – whose real name is Jebara Igbarra -- picked up Mashal at the 7-Eleven on Palisade Avenue in Fort Lee on March 15, authorities said at the time. Igbarra, of Edgewater, had cultivated a reputation for distribu…
Feds In NJ Charge Rockland Doc, Wife With $1.3M Genetic Testing Scheme Feds In NJ Charge Rockland Doc, Wife With $1.3M Genetic Testing Scheme
Feds In NJ Charge Rockland Doc, Wife With $1.3M Genetic Testing Scheme COVID-19 hardly fazed a Rockland doctor who, with his wife, continued to collect bribes and kickbacks in exchange for ordering millions of dollars in genetic tests from his offices in Pennsylvania, a federal grand jury in Newark charged. Yitzchok “Barry” Kurtzer, 61,and Robin Kurtzer, 60, both of Monsey, collected monthly cash kickbacks and bribes ranging in exchange for “collecting DNA samples from Medicare patients and sending them for genetic tests to clinical laboratories in New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachael Honig said. The payoffs ranged up $5,00…
Wife Of Instagram Celeb Jailed In Plot To Kidnap, Terrorize NJ Man Who Trashed Him Online Wife Of Instagram Celeb Jailed In Plot To Kidnap, Terrorize NJ Man Who Trashed Him Online
Wife Of Instagram Celeb Jailed In Plot To Kidnap, Terrorize NJ Man Who Trashed Him Online The wife of Bergen County-based Instagram influencer "Jay Mazini” was in on a plot to kidnap, threaten and terrorize a Fort Lee man who’d posted negative comments about him on social media, authorities said Friday. Joumana Danoun, 21, of Paterson also then tried to get the victim to drop the charges, they said. Danoun joined her husband in the Bergen County Jail following her arrest Thursday. "Mazini" of Edgewater, whose real name is Jebara J. Igbara, 26, has been held in the county lockup since authorities arrested him on kidnapping charges in March. An FBI detainer prevents a local judg…
Elizabeth Man Admits Bribing Postal Carriers To Steal Checkbooks, Credit Cards From Mail Elizabeth Man Admits Bribing Postal Carriers To Steal Checkbooks, Credit Cards From Mail
Elizabeth Man Admits Bribing Postal Carriers To Steal Checkbooks, Credit Cards From Mail A Union County man admitted Wednesday that he offered bribes to postal workers to steal check books and credit cards from the mail, federal authorities said. U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents watched as Jabre “Jab” Beauvoir, 22, of Elizabeth met with a carrier in a mail van in Secaucus and collected a package that they’d planted, a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Newark says. Beauvoir – using the handle “Neck Tat” -- believed he was getting a stolen iPhone 6 Plus, it says. The carrier told them that Beauvoir had offered $20O for every stolen check book and a split of the proc…