2002-05-20 -- Gibson, Robert -- Guilty Plea -- News Release

Camden Sewer Superintendent Pleads Guilty to Extorting Cash From Municipal Contractor

NEWARK - The former director of public utilities and superintendent of water and sewer for the City of Camden pleaded guilty today to extorting cash payments from a city vendor in return for taking favorable action to assist the vendor, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Robert E. Gibson, 60, of Cherry Hill, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William G. Bassler to a one-count Information. The Information charged Gibson with extortion by accepting cash from a city contractor that repaired Camden's sewers, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry A. Carbone.

During his plea hearing, Gibson said that he took official action to assist the contractor. Gibson's plea agreement identifies the contractor as United Gunite, Inc. of Irvington and Gunite executives Gerald Free and Steven Carroll.

The Information charges Gibson with receiving approximately $20,800 in cash during the calendar years 1997 and 1998 in exchange for the official action.

Gibson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Judge Bassler set bail in the amount of a $30,000 personal recognizance bond and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 9.

Free and Carroll have previously pleaded guilty to bribing public officials in New Jersey. No sentencing dates have been set for Free or Carroll.

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

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

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Phillip W. Thomas of the Newark FBI office, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Lampinski of the FBI's Philadelphia office, with developing the case against Gibson.

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Defense Attorney: Leonard S. Baker Haddonfield