Jersey City Cop Accepted Corrupt Payments: Officials

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City police officer pled guilty to charges of fraud and corruption for accepting payments in exchange for helping employers operate at worksites without the required presence of a police officer, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said.

Juan Berrios, 41, of Rahway, pled guilty in federal court on Friday to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and accept corrupt payments stemming from his time as a Jersey City police officer.

Instead of being paid directly in cash, anyone who employs a Jersey City police officer is required to submit their payments to the city, who would then pay the officers. Berrios admitted to receiving payments from off-duty employers without going through the city, Carpenito said.

In exchange for the direct payments, Berrios allowed off-duty employers to operate worksites without police officers when their presence was required, Carpenito said.

"Berrios also sought and received overtime compensation for appearing in court at the same time he was purportedly performing off-duty work. As a result, Berrios fraudulently obtained compensation from Jersey City for separate assignments that occurred at the same time," Carpenito said.

Berrios faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will also forfeit $50,000. His sentencing is scheduled for April 16.

The guilty plea comes as part of a wide-ranging investigation done by the FBI into Jersey City cops getting paid to do off-duty jobs they did not perform. As many as 10 Jersey City police officers have been charged with getting paid for off-duty work they did not perform, and many of them have pleaded guilty.

Former Chief of Police Phil Zacche pled guilty to similar charges early last month.

• Read More: Ex-Jersey City Police Chief, Manalapan Resident, Admits To Theft

With Reporting By Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff

Image via Shutterstock