STATEWIDE — Former Monmouth County real estate developer Solomon Dwek, who became an FBI informant in a major political corruption sting after getting ensnared on fraud charges of his own, was sentenced to six years in prison Thursday.
In 2006, Dwek tried to deposit two fraudulent $25 million dollar checks into his bank. After he was arrested, the FBI used him in a massive 2009 sting operation.
In Operation Bid Rig, Dwek met with local officials and political candidates and offered them donations in exchange for their promises to favor his development applications in their towns.
More than 40 people were arrested, including former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, who had served a mere three weeks in office. Former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell was also among those ensnared.
Dwek’s plea agreement called for 9 to 11 years in prison, but an assistant U.S. attorney asked for a reduction to three or four years.
Judge Jose Linares of U.S. District Court gave Dwek six years.
For the Hudson Reporter newspaper group’s past coverage on the sting and related stories, see links below.