2002-10-03 -- Janiszewski, Robert -- Guilty Plea -- News Release

Former Hudson County Executive Janiszewski Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Tax Evasion Charges

NEWARK - Former Hudson County Executive Robert C. Janiszewski pleaded guilty today to charges of extortion and tax evasion, admitting that he took more than $100,000 in cash bribes in connection with his official duties, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Janiszewski, a former four-term Hudson County Executive, Democratic County Chairman and state Assemblyman, pleaded guilty to a two-count Information before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano. Sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. Judge Pisano set bail at $100,000 unsecured bond.

When he is sentenced by Judge Pisano, Janiszewski faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the extortion charge and a maximum of five years in prison and a $100,000 fine on the tax evasion charge, according to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey D. Clark and Stuart Rabner.

"Corruption is a blight on government," Christie said. "In Hudson County, or any County or Municipality in New Jersey, we are determined to find it and stamp it out."

According to Christie, Janiszewski is cooperating with law enforcement in an ongoing corruption probe in Hudson County.

During the plea hearing, Janiszewski admitted that he took cash bribe payments in return for approving the Hudson County contracts of a professional services vendor. In response to questions from Judge Pisano, Janiszewski identified the vendor as Dr. Oscar Sandoval. According to the plea agreement, the value of the benefit in exchange for the bribes was more than $800,000 and less than $1.5 million.

Janiszewski admitted to accepting cash bribes from the vendor at various times: in two consecutive years as far back as the mid-1990s; two $5,000 bribe payments in September and October of 1999 through an intermediary; and two cash payments of $5,000 in November 1999. Under questioning from Judge Pisano, Janiszewski admitted that Nidia Colon, currently a Hudson County Freeholder, served as an intermediary for Dr. Sandoval, in making some of the bribe payments.

Janiszewski admitted that he accepted bribe payments from other individuals who were not identified in court. Overall, Janiszewski admitted that he accepted more than $100,000 in bribe payments in connection with his official actions as County Executive.

Janiszewski also admitted evading income taxes by failing to disclose the $20,000 in bribe money he received in 1999 on his federal income tax returns.

As Hudson County Executive, Janiszewski was the county's highest ranking government official. He was first elected in 1987 and served until his resignation in August 2001. As the County Executive, Janiszewski had the power to recommend particular vendors with whom the county government should do business. When authorized by the County Freeholder Board, Janiszewski also had the power to enter into contracts with vendors on behalf of the county.

Under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Pisano will determine Janiszewski's actual sentence based on a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense and other factors.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Under Sentencing Guidelines, defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Louie F. Allen, and the IRS Criminal Investigation Section, under the direction of Erick Martinez, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, for their work in developing the case. Christie gave special thanks to the Hudson County Public Corruption Task Force, comprised of the FBI, IRS, the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Joseph Santiago and the State Attorney General David Samson, and the Division of Criminal Justice, under the direction of Peter C. Harvey.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey D. Clark and Stuart Rabner.

Defense Attorney: Bruce I. Goldstein, Esq. Newark