03-24-05 -- Janiszewski, Robert C. -- Sentencing -- News Release

Former Hudson County Executive Janiszewski Sentenced to 41 Months for Corruption

NEWARK - Former Hudson County Executive Robert C. Janiszewski was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for extortion and tax evasion in connection with more than $100,000 in cash bribes he admitted taking while in office, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano sentenced the former four-term Hudson County Executive, Democratic County Chairman and state Assemblyman at the top of the eligible sentencing range - 33 to 41 months - as provided under his plea agreement. Judge Pisano also rejected the government's motion for a downward departure from that sentencing range, which the government argued was appropriate in return for Janiszewski's extensive cooperation in the Hudson County corruption investigation.

Judge Pisano also fined Janiszewski $40,000, and ordered him to surrender to the federal Bureau of Prisons by May 5 to begin serving his sentence.

"Judge Pisano gave a very sound basis for his sentencing decision, recognizing the seriousness of Mr. Janiszewski's crimes and the impact public corruption has had on New Jersey," said Christie. "Mr. Janiszewski offered extraordinary cooperation, resulting in numerous convictions of other corrupt officials and vendors. But as stiff as this sentence is, it is within the terms of the plea agreement, and Mr. Janiszewski would have faced potentially twice what he received had he not cooperated with our corruption investigation."

Janiszewski pleaded guilty on Oct. 3, 2002, admitting that he took cash bribe payments in return for approving the Hudson County contracts of a professional services vendor, whom Janiszewski identified as Dr. Oscar Sandoval. Janiszewski admitted that he accepted bribe payments from others and, overall, said that he accepted more than $100,000 in bribe payments in connection with his official actions as the 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.

Janiszewski's cooperation assisted the government in the successful corruption prosecutions of two Hudson County freeholders, Nidia Colon and William Braker, and led to other convictions, including former mayor of Hoboken, Anthony Russo, developer Joseph Barry, Janiszewski consultant Paul Byrne, and accountants Gerard Lisa and Charles Fallon..

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.

In determining an actual sentence, Judge Pisano consulted the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges that took into account the severity and characteristics of the offense, the defendant's lack of a criminal record, and other factors. The judge, however, was not bound by the guidelines in determining the sentence.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system. 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 Joseph Billy, Jr., and the IRS Criminal Investigation section, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia J. Haynes, for their work in developing the case.

The Government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip H. Kwon, of the U.S. Attorney's Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

Defense Attorney:

William Maderer, Esq. Newark