Local Man Admits Accepting Bribes To Secure Contract For Company

A man who reportedly works for Stryker, a medical device manufacturing company, admitted Tuesday accepting a $75,000 bridge to help secure a contract for a metallurgical technology company.

Daniel Lawrynowicz, 48, of Monroe, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to one count of violating the Federal Travel Act, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

The U.S. Attorney's Office did not identify the medical device company for whom Lawrynoswicz worked, but NorthJersey.com reported, citing a LinkedIn page, that it was Stryker, which is based in Mahwah.

Eugene Ostrovsky wanted to enter into a $5.5 million contract with the medical device company. He and two others paid Lawrynowicz bribes to secure the contract with the company, based in part on Lawrynowicz's recommendation. One of the payments was $75,000 in cash, Carpenito said.

Lawrynowicz faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, when he is sentenced. He must also forfeit $75,000 as part of the guilty plea.

Ostrovsky pleaded guilty Feb. 27 to violating the Federal Travel Act for his role in the bribery scheme. He was sentenced March 9 to six months in prison, six months of house arrest and two years of supervised release, Carpenito said.

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