NORTH BERGEN — Former Guttenberg councilman Vincent Tabbachino has considered accepting a plea deal regarding some of the charges against him in a 2009 FBI sting, according to NJ.com.
Tabbachino was arrested and indicted after being allegedly involved in money laundering stemming from the 2009 FBI sting Bid Rig. Tabbachino, 69, of Fairview, was charged with money laundering after allegedly cashing three checks totaling $100,000, which purported developer (and FBI informant) Solomon Dwek apparently claimed were profits from a knock-off handbag business. Tabbachino allegedly received a $10,000 commission from Dwek.
In October Tabbachino was convicted for attempted extortion and bribery in separate charges related to Dwek, in which he allegedly acted as a middle man between Dwek and Ridgefield Mayor Anthony R. Suarez. Dwek allegedly offered $10,000 to Suarez’s campaign fund in exchange for preferential treatment in obtaining building permits. Suarez was found not guilty of all charges.
According to reports, Tabacchino has asked the prosecutor for changes to an unsigned plea agreement. No final decision has yet been made, it said. — Tricia Tirella