Middlesex County prosecutors say a Sayreville politician accepted cash to influence a criminal case. His son and daughter-in-law are also accused of threatening witnesses and lying to police about the incident.
Prosecutors say Thomas Pollando, 73, a former Sayreville Democratic chairman, has been indicted along with his 42-year-old son David Pollando, and his daughter-in-law Lizmarie Pollando, 29, all of Sayreville.
The prosecutor's office was investigating a business in Sayreville, and during that they witnessed Pollando accepting thousands of dollars in cash. Authorities say the politician was also heard saying he will use his political power to influence a criminal case.
Prosecutors say further investigation into Pollando revealed that he directed another candidate’s campaign funds for Sayreville Borough Council to be used to pay for personal expenditures, and he also directed that election records be falsified to cover up that payment.
The three face charges ranging from bribery to misconduct.