Dennis Oury worked to profit his company without divulging his connection to the business.
TRENTON -- A prominent Bergen County lawyer recently had his law license suspended for admitting that he secretly helped his business profit while serving as a borough attorney.
The state's Disciplinary Review Board agreed to have Dennis Oury's three-year suspension retroactive to when he was first temporarily suspended in November 2009.
Joseph Ferriero, left, walks in 2008 with his attorney Joseph Hayden, center and fellow co-defendant Dennis Oury. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Oury, along with former Bergen County Democratic Organization leader Joseph A. Ferriero, created a company called Governmental Grants Consulting and marketed it to North Jersey towns, including the town Oury served as a lawyer for, without disclosing their ties to the company.
Oury was later appointed to serve as Bergenfield's attorney. During his reign, Bergenfield purchased an estate with grants obtained through his consulting company and he went on to bill the borough for his legal work.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of failing to file federal income tax returns.
Oury received three years of probation and was fined $17,500, but avoided jail time. Ferriero, meanwhile, was sentenced to almost three years in prison for his role in a racketeering and bribe scheme.
Oury's attorney didn't immediately return a request for comment.
Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.