U.S. Attorney: Fort Lee Man Charged With Soliciting Bribes For Palisades Park Official

A Fort Lee real estate developer and landlord allegedly solicited a $50,000 bribe from someone he promised he could get a karaoke business built for in Palisades Park, authorities announced.

Chung S. Kho, 68, was charged with using facilities in interstate commerce to promote bribery, said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman in a statement Tuesday. Kho appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark Tuesday, Fishman said.

Cho allegedly met with an individual in December 2010 who he promised he could get the necessary approvals to open a karaoke business in Palisades Park if Cho paid a Palisades Park official a $50,000 bribe, authorities announced.

The person tried to negotiate a smaller amount, Fishman said, but Kho allegedly said the official wouldn’t accept anything less than $50,000; by the time the person tried to pay the $50,000, Kho said it was too late.

The Palisades Park Planning Board denied the person’s application on Dec. 15, 2010.

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

Kho was released on $50,000 of unsecured bond.