2002-09-20 -- Auriemma, Joseph -- Guilty Plea -- News Release

Former N. Bergen Township Administrator Pleads Guilty to Corruption Charges

NEWARK - Former North Bergen Township Administrator and North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority Director of Operations Joseph Auriemma pleaded guilty today to accepting benefits in the form of home improvements from a contractor with town contracts and concealing his receipt of the benefits, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Auriemma, 54, who was indicted in June, appeared before U.S. District Judge Joseph A. Greenaway, Jr. to plead guilty to using the U.S. mails in connection with a scheme to deprive the citizens of North Bergen of money, property and his honest services as a public official, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Clark, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.

When he is sentenced by Judge Greenaway, Auriemma faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Judge Greenaway set sentencing for December 23 at 9:30 a.m.

"Our fight against public corruption achieves another victory today," Christie said. "We will not permit any person who holds public office to break the law and violate the public trust."

Auriemma admitted that while serving as the North Bergen Administrator and as Director of Operations at the North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), he accepted free work to his house from a vendor with North Bergen contracts. Auriemma admitted to intentionally concealing his receipt of improper personal benefits by failing to disclose them on financial disclosure statements which were filed with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the local government ethics laws.

Specifically, Auriemma admitted accepting free work on his personal residence from the vendor during the period from 1993 through 2000, including roof and skylight repairs in 1993 and 1994, a renovated bathroom in 1995, an entirely new roof and gutters in 1996, a new outdoor shed and renovations to the garage in 1998, a new air conditioning condenser unit in 1998, and a new heat pump air conditioner/heater at his Wildwood vacation home in 2000. Auriemma admitted that during this time frame he took official actions related to the vendor's North Bergen and MUA contracts and receipt of payments under those contracts. He further admitted that he knew that the free renovations and other benefits were offered to him to influence him to take favorable action on the vendor's behalf.

Auriemma also admitted to taking steps to cover up his illegal conduct. In addition to falsifying financial disclosure forms required of public officials in order to conceal his receipt of illegal benefits, Auriemma admitted to one instance in which he wrote a check to make it appear as if he had paid for work done on his home but then received the money back in a cash payment.

Under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Greenaway will determine Auriemma's actual sentence based on a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense and Auriemma's criminal history, if any.

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 in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Louie Allen, for their work in developing the case.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clark, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Attorney's Criminal Division in Newark.

-end-

Defense Attorney: John Whipple, Esq. Morristown