NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) — A former Newark city official was sentenced to jail for taking part in a bribery scheme along with two businessmen, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced Wednesday.
Carmelo Garcia, 51, served as Deputy Mayor of Newark and pleaded guilty to receiving money and other benefits from businessmen in exchange for advancing real estate developments, according to documents.
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Garcia was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
“As he admitted in court, Carmelo Garcia set up a scheme to receive cash and jewelry in exchange for using his influence in favor of private business interests, defrauding the people of Newark of their right to his honest services,” said former U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. “In doing so, he violated the public trust in order to line his own pockets.”…