Head of Newark Sanitation Division Admits Accepting $24,000 in Corrupt Payments

NEWARK – The manager of the Newark Division of Sanitation pleaded guilty today, admitting that he accepted $24,000 in corrupt payments from an East Newark waste-hauling company in exchange for exercising his influence in favor of the company, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Anthony Lukowiak, 43, of Belleville, admitted before U.S. District Judge Joseph E. Irenas that he accepted cash payments totaling about $24,000 between January and December 2005, during a time when the waste-hauling company had contracts with Newark.

Lukowiak, who supervises the entire Newark Sanitation Division and has supervisory responsibility for more than 250 employees, told Judge Irenas that his responsibilities included, among other things, the supervision and management of the collection of garbage for the City of Newark. Lukowiak admitted that he accepted the cash bribes in exchange for exercising official action, influence and decision-making authority in favor of the waste-hauling contractor.

The waste hauler was not specifically identified during Lukowiak’s plea or in court papers.

Lukowiak pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging him with accepting corrupt payments, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Judge Irenas scheduled sentencing for Aug. 11.

The investigation by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office into corruption in city trash-hauling contracts continues, Christie said.

Today was Lukowiak’s first appearance in court. He was not charged previously. In pleading guilty to an Information, a defendant waives his right to have the case presented to a grand jury and instead pleads guilty to charges presented by the government.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leslie Wiser, Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey S. Chiesa and John Fietkiewicz of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

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Defense Counsel: Robert G. Stahl, Esq., Westfield