Jersey City Councilman Phil Kenny (pictured) pleaded guilty to taking $5,000 in bribes in U.S. District Court in Newark on Tuesday.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Kenny pleaded guilty in connection with the July 23 arrests of political and religious leaders as he admitted in court to accepting payments from the federal government’s “cooperating witness” Solomon Dwek in meetings between March and May of this year in exchange for Kenny’s future influence if elected to the City Council.
Kenny had not been charged previously in the July 23 arrests and it was his first appearance in court. Kenny is free on a $50,000 bond pending his sentence, which is scheduled for Jan. 12.
Kenny, 53, was elected to the City Council in the May municipal election to represented the city’s Ward B, which covers most of the city’s west side.
Those close to Kenny said they were “shocked” by his guilty plea as they were unaware until they found out on Tuesday.
Among them was Mayor Jerramiah Healy, who issued a statement saying, “I am just as stunned as everyone by this news. I had always known Phil Kenny to be an honest person who was dedicated to his city and his community. As a result of his guilty plea, by operation of law, Mr. Kenny has forfeited his council seat.” – RK
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