Fort Lee Real Estate Developer Admits Soliciting $50,000 Bribe

FORT LEE, N.J. – A borough real estate developer and landlord of commercial buildings admitted soliciting $50,000 from a Palisades Park borough official to construct a karaoke business.

Chung S. Kho, 68, pleaded guilty to information charging him with using facilities in interstate commerce to promote bribery, said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Kho met with a man who wanted to open a karaoke business in Palisades Park in a building Kho owned, Fishman said. During the initial discussions, Kho guaranteed that there would be no problem in obtaining approval from Palisades Park to open the business. Kho bragged about a close relationship he had with a Palisades Park borough official who had previously assisted him with the development of other large-scale commercial buildings in Palisades Park.

Kho admitted that from October to December 2010, he used his cellphone to facilitate the offer of a $30,000 bribe payment by the individual to obtain approval for one karaoke business and $50,000 for two businesses, Fishman said.

The individual was, at first, hesitant to make the payment, but by the time the person agreed to pay the bribe, Kho told him that it was too late, Fishman said.

The bribery charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 18.