HOBOKEN — John P. Corea, the former director of the Hoboken Parking Utility, was sentenced to seven years in state prison Monday for his role in the $600,000 theft by a Toms River contractor whose company was hired by the City of Hoboken to collect coins from city parking meters. The sentence includes three years of parole ineligibility. The contractor had previously pleaded guilty, according to a release from the State Attorney General’s Office.
Corea, 48, Hoboken, was ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution to the City of Hoboken,and will be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey. Corea had plead guilty on Dec. 16, 2011 to a second-degree charge of official misconduct, the release said.
“Government officials have a duty to act with complete honesty, integrity and care in dealing with public funds, but Corea corruptly betrayed that duty and the public’s trust, permitting a crooked contractor to literally make off with bags of cash belonging to the City of Hoboken,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “This lengthy prison sentence reflects a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to public officials who abuse their positions and break the law in New Jersey.” –Stephen LaMarca