NEWARK, NJ — A real estate developer from New York has pleaded guilty to several crimes in connection with a bribery scheme in Newark, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
In addition to the bribery scheme, Menashe Davidovitz, 31, of Airmont, New York, also conspired with a former U.S. Air Marshal to sell phony "Law Enforcement Family Member" cards bearing a fake insignia of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Federal prosecutors released the following allegations involving the case against Davidovitz:
Newark Bribery – "From June 2024 through November 2024, Davidovitz conspired with others to provide City of Newark employees with cash and other benefits in exchange for the employees' official action in matters related to City of Newark properties that Davidovitz owned. Specifically, Davidovitz paid bribes in order to obtain permits and certificates, including certificates of occupancy, which were required before his properties could be occupied or sold. Davidovitz also paid bribes to local officials for their help in resolving violations at his properties."
Law Enforcement Cards – "Additionally, from October 2021 through January 2023, Davidovitz worked with co-conspirators, including Jonathan Ledesma, a former U.S. Air Marshal, to sell 'Law Enforcement Family Member' cards that identified their bearers as 'family member[s]' of Ledesma, 'a Federal Officer.' These cards were embossed with the apparent insignia of the DHS as well as a QR code that was linked to Ledesma's cellular phone. Though Davidovitz was not authorized to sell the insignia of the DHS, or any colorable imitation of the insignia, he received approximately $30,000 in proceeds from the sale of these cards."
On Tuesday, Davidovitz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with the business and transactions of a federally funded local government and organization, conspiracy to sell false seals and conspiracy to sell official insignia.
Prosecutors said the conspiracy to commit honest services fraud charge that Davidovitz pleaded guilty to carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment. The conspiracy to sell false seals and conspiracy to commit bribery charges each carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment. The conspiracy to sell official insignia charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2027.
Prosecutors noted that Ledesma pleaded guilty to making false statements and selling official insignia without authorization in July 2024. Ledesma was sentenced to three years of probation in December 2024.
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