2002-07-17 -- Perez, Peter -- Guilty Plea -- News Release

North Bergen Commissioner Admits Taking Corrupt Payments from Contractor

NEWARK - A North Bergen town commissioner admitted today that he accepted home improvements and cash payments worth approximately $26,000 from a contractor with municipal contracts and that he concealed receipt of the benefits, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Peter Perez, 41, pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging mail fraud, before U.S. District Judge Joseph A. Greenaway Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Clark.

Judge Greenaway set sentencing for Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Perez, a town commissioner since March 1995, admitted that while serving as a commissioner, he accepted free work to his house and cash payments from a vendor with North Bergen contracts. Perez admitted intentionally concealing his receipt of the free work and cash 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, Perez admitted that, in November 1995, the vendor provided a $7,000 bathroom renovation at his North Bergen home. He further admitted that in 1997, the vendor provided additional renovations to the kitchen, bedrooms, a bathroom, and a hallway, with a total value of approximately $15,700. Perez also admitted taking cash payments ranging from $500 to $2,000 - for a total of approximately $3,300 - on a number of occasions from 1995 to 1998.

According to the Information, under North Bergen's commission form of government, there are five popularly-elected commissioners, each of whom head a department of the North Bergen government. Perez, who ran the Department of Parks and Recreation, had responsibility for the upkeep of town buildings, including maintenance and repairs on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment in town facilities. The vendor who provided the free renovations and cash payments to Perez operated HVAC and construction businesses over which Perez maintained decision-making authority, including the approval of payments to the vendor.

From 1995 through 2001, the vendor's businesses received revenues of approximately $1,950,971 from North Bergen and approximately $537,619 from the North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority.

Under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Greenaway will determine Perez's actual sentence based on a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense and Perez'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 Newark in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Louie F. 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.

Defense Attorney: Andrew Jacobs, Esq. Chatham