JERSEY CITY — The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark announced on Thursday that former Jersey City Housing Authority Commissioner and City Council candidate Lori Serrano was indicted and charged with accepting $10,000 in bribes from the government’s cooperating witness, Solomon Dwek, allegedly in exchange for her assistance on Dwek’s purported Garfield Avenue project once she became a council member.
Serrano ran for City Council-at-large seat on mayoral candidate Louis Manzo’s ticket in May but did not win.
The indictment charges Serrano with conspiring with then-Jersey City official Edward Cheatam, now-deceased political consultant Jack Shaw, and others. Cheatam already pleaded guilty to bribery charges.
The indictment stems from the FBI political corruption and international money laundering investigation that led to 44 arrests of religious and political leaders on July 23.
U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said the corruption and money laundering investigations are continuing.
Fishman said Serrano will have to appear for arraignment on the indictment on a date to be determined. – RK
Former JC housing commissioner Serrano indicted
