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Bribe-taking Secaucus mayor gets prison

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A judge today sent former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell to federal prison for 30 months for taking a $10,000 bribe from the key figure in New Jersey’s largest-ever public corruption bust.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot

Elwell (l.), Dwek

A federal jury last July found Elwell, 66, of Secaucus, guilty of bribery following a two-week trial in which he was also acquitted of conspiracy and attempted extortion.

“Despite his obligations to the people of Secaucus as their
mayor, Dennis Elwell took $10,000 in cash to play favorites,” U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said.

It is tragic when someone who clearly understands the rewards and responsibilities of public service trades his principles for private gain.”

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

Elwell met with Ronald Manzo, a businessman and friend of Elwell, Edward Cheatam and Solomon Dwek – a cooperating government witness with the government – at La Reggia Restaurant at the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel in Secaucus on May 28, 2009.

During that meeting, Dwek purported to be a developer interested in building a large scale real estate development in Secaucus. He offered to pay Elwell $10,000 “green” in exchange for the mayor’s future assistance, action and influence in favor of his development projects.

At the end of the meeting, Dwek gave $10,000 in cash to Manzo, which was intended for Elwell, in the parking lot of the hotel restaurant. Elwell then accepted the $10,000 in cash from Manzo, knowing that the cash payment was being made in exchange for his future official assistance.

On July 17, 2009, Elwell met with Cheatam, Manzo and Dwek at Secaucus Town Hall. During that meeting, Elwell confirmed that he had received the $10,000 in cash from Manzo, and that he was happy with it.

Elwell was arrested at his residence by the agents of the FBI on July 23, 2009.

Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ward in Newark; and IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Victor W. Lessoff. The case was presented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Nakly and Eric Kanefsky, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

In addition to the prison term, Elwell was sentenced to one year of supervised release and fined $10,000. The $10,000 bribe payment will also be forfeited to the government, Fishman said.

Manzo and Cheatam pleaded guilty to charges which arose from related investigations. Manzo is currently scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 2012; Cheatam awaits sentencing.

Dwek is in federal custody pending sentencing following his guilty plea on an unrelated charge.


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