Former Bergen County Democratic Chairman Found Guilty Of Racketeering

Joseph Ferriero, a major player in Bergen County politics for more than a decade, was convicted of accepting and soliciting bribes when he was chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization (BCDO).

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman announced that Ferriero, 57, was found guilty of racketeering, using mail to promote bribery, and wire fraud after an eight-week long trail before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in federal court.

“The evidence we presented at trial described a racketeering operation that ran on influence-peddling, bribes, and kickbacks,” Fishman said in a statement. “The people of New Jersey are entitled to honest public service.”

Ferriero was chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization for 11 years, from 1998 to 2009, and was the sole member of SJC Consulting LLC. The jury found Ferriero accepted bribes as Bergen County Democratic chairman during a scheme that involved SJC.

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According to court documents, Ferriero would recommend and provide a “favorable opinion” of John Carrino, a software developer from Nutley, and his companies to various public officials in Bergen County Ferriero had influence over.

Carrino agreed to pay Ferriero one-quarter to one-third of the money he grossed due to Ferriero’s help.

Ferriero reportedly used two shell companies, including one that was created and incorporated in Nevada, to accept the payments from another shell company Carrino controlled.

The jury took four days to deliver its guilty verdict.

Ferriero is scheduled to be sentenced July 27. He could be sentenced to a maximum of 45 years in prison and be forced to pay $750,000 in fines.