The former chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization was sentenced Friday to nearly three years in prison for his role in a racketeering and bribery scheme.
Joseph Ferriero arriving at U.S. District Court in Newark in February. (EJA) NEWARK -- The former chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization was sentenced Friday to nearly three years in prison for his role in a racketeering and bribery scheme.
Joseph Ferriero, 58, was found guilty in April after an eight-week trial in Newark federal court on charges that he used his once powerful party post to carry out the kickback scheme.
"The sentence handed down today to Joseph Ferriero is the final result of his running a local political organization as a criminal enterprise," New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement. "He used his power and position to enrich himself through a racketeering operation fueled by influence peddling, bribes and kickbacks. Punishing this kind of political corruption has been - and continues to be - a priority for this office."
A jury found that Ferriero took bribes and used his post as party leader to influence several Bergen County municipalities to use the services of a Nutley-based software developer. In return, Ferriero took a kickback on gross receipts from the municipal contracts.
Ferriero, who ran the county party from 1998 to 2009, used shell companies to hide his financial interest in the software firm's public contracts, according to evidence at trial.
"Today's sentencing of Joseph A. Ferriero reaffirms the FBI's commitment to combat public corruption in New Jersey and serves as a reminder that those individuals who violate the public's trust will be held accountable," Richard M. Frankel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Newark Division, said in the statement.
Ferriero's attorney, Michael Baldassare, has said he planned to appeal the conviction.
Ferriero was convicted on conspiracy and mail fraud charges in a separate trial, but the case was tossed after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the law he was convicted under.
U.S. District Judge Esther B. Salas also sentenced Ferriero to three years of supervised release, ordered him to pay restitution of $11,875 and entered a forfeiture order for the same amount.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
