Former New Jersey Councilman Gets 6 Years in Insurance Sting

June 8, 2009

A former councilman from Passaic, New Jersey has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after being convicted of corruption.

Jonathan Soto will serve 75 months in federal prison.

A jury found him guilty in February of extortion, accepting bribes and attempted drug possession.

Prosecutors say Soto, former Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera and former Passaic Councilman Marcellus Jackson accepted more than $40,000 in bribes from an undercover FBI insurance company.

The bribes were in exchange for assistance in gaining government contracts for the company.

One of Soto’s convictions was for soliciting $10,000 from a city employee in exchange for a civil service promotion.

Topics New Jersey

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Latest Comments

  • June 9, 2009 at 7:50 am
    Dread says:
    Being the most corrupt state in the country, this scumbag won't serve more than a few months until the publicity blows over. These vermin protect their own.
  • June 8, 2009 at 3:27 am
    Paul says:
    Jes, that is another snafu of prosecution. I agree, either you had drugs on you or you did not. It cannot go either way. That is like the charge of attempted distribution, ... read more
  • June 8, 2009 at 1:56 am
    Jess says:
    Why is he in trouble for attempted drug possesion? He either had it or he didn't, no?

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