JERSEY CITY — Former Jersey City fireman Michael Manzo (pictured) pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Newark on Wednesday for accepting a $5,000 payment from the FBI’s cooperating witness in a government sting, Solomon Dwek.
Also in court on Wednesday was Jersey City deputy mayor Leona Beldini, who pleaded not guilty to a new six-count indictment stemming from her dealings with Dwek, including additional charges of accepting bribes totaling $20,000 and real estate commissions from Dwek.
Manzo had accepted payments from Dwek in exchange for Dwek to get approvals from the city for Dwek’s purported development project on Garfield Avenue. Beldini was accused of allegedly accepting similar payments.
Beldini is going to trial on Jan. 27 while Manzo is scheduled to be sentenced on Mar. 15.
Manzo faces jail time of 10 to 16 months according to federal guidelines. – RK
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