Second contractor pleads guilty to scheme to get $$ out of City Hall
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney General’s office, a second local contractor admitted on Wednesday to rigging the contractor selection process for projects run by the Union City Community Development Agency (UCCDA), which is funded by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A press release issued Wednesday said:
“The owner of a Guttenberg, New Jersey, contracting company admitted rigging the selection process for projects run by the Union City Community Development Agency (UCCDA), causing losses of at least $120,000, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
“Leovaldo Fundora, 53, of Guttenberg, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court to … one count of embezzling, stealing, purloining, and converting to his own use and the use of another, money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“According to documents in this case and statements made in court:
“The UCCDA receives funding from HUD under a federal block grant that provides money for home improvement, sidewalk replacement and other projects. Between May 2007 and September 2011, Fundora owned Falcon Remodeling Inc., a general contracting company.
“Fundora colluded with two UCCDA inspectors and two other contractors to attain HUD grant funds by having the contractors complete phony proposals with prices higher than those submitted by Falcon. Fundora then submitted these phony proposals and Falcon’s proposals to the UCCDA in order to improperly obtain home improvement projects and sidewalk replacement projects.
“On two occasions in June 2010, Fundora submitted phony proposals from the other two contractors pricing sidewalk replacement projects at Kerrigan Avenue and 13th St. in Union City for $4,200. As a result, Falcon secured both projects for $3,900.
“The charge to which Fundora pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is currently scheduled for April 22, 2015.”
Two inspectors who may have been in on the scheme are still working at Town Hall, a press report said last month.
Last month, Joseph Lado, 66, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with agents of the UCCDA and a Jersey City contractor to obtain money from the agency by fraud. Lado entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court.
Mayor Brian Stack, when interviewed for NJ.com last month, was quoted as saying he was “frustrated and embarrassed” by the fraud. He also said that the two officials who may have conspired in the plot should resign.
Sires named as ranking member of Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere
Rep. Albio Sires has been selected by his peers on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to serve as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere for the 114th Congress.
Sires has served as a member of the subcommittee since 2006.
The Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere has jurisdiction over issues pertaining to the countries in South America, North America, and the Caribbean. Sires was also selected to continue to serve as member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.
March to honor fallen police officers is Jan. 17
The Jersey City Police Detective’s Benevolent Association (JCPD-DBA) will host “A Walk to Remember” on Saturday, Jan. 17, in honor of the 118 police officers who were killed nationwide in the line of duty in 2014. The walk will take place in Liberty State Park in Jersey City at 12 p.m. with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friends, family and supporters will meet at the foot of Audrey Zapp Rd., North Cove Field. The JCPD-DBA invites the public to join in remembrance of police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and in support of the families of fallen officers. Contributions to the DBA’s Fallen Officers Fund will be accepted. If you have questions, please contact Detective Ed Dolan at (201) 726-0698.