A former Newark power broker pleaded guilty to several charges, including bribery and wire fraud.
Ex-Newark Deputy Mayor Carmelo Garcia entered his plea Wednesday in federal court. Garcia, 49, of Hoboken, set up a scheme to receive cash and jewelry in exchange for political influence, according to U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger.
Prosecutors say the corruption took place from 2017 to 2019, with Garcia taking kickbacks to misuse money allocated for United States Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded programs.
Garcia will be sentenced in December. He was originally was charged by indictment in October 2021 with Frank Valvano Jr., 56, of Florham Park, and Irwin Sablosky, 64, of Springfield. Valvano and Sablosky's cases are pending.