More indictments to come? Solomon Dwek, the failed real estate developer who became the central figure in a huge New Jersey corruption scandal, will not be sentenced until March 5, 2012, U.S. Judge Jose L. Linares of the District of New Jersey ruled on Wednesday.
Sentencing of NJ Corruption Probe Witness Reset to 2012
By David Stout • Main Justice.com
Solomon Dwek, the failed real estate developer who became the central figure in a huge New Jersey corruption scandal, will not be sentenced until March 5, 2012, U.S. Judge Jose L. Linares of the District of New Jersey ruled on Wednesday.
Dwek’s sentencing has already been delayed three times in three years, The Star-Ledger reported, so the latest rescheduling is not a stunning surprise. Dwek pleaded guilty in October 2009 to a $50 million bank fraud and has been cooperating with the office of U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman in a far-reaching inquiry that has led to the arrest of more than 40 people, including three mayors, two state assemblymen and five Orthodox rabbis.
Twenty-seven of those charges have pleaded guilty to charges that include corruption, extortion, bribery and money laundering. Three others have been convicted, two acquitted and one died days after his arrest, The Star-Ledger said.
“Before his arrest, Dwek, the son of a prominent Monmouth County rabbi, had appeared to be a successful real estate investor, seemingly worth millions in what later turned out to be a big Ponzi scheme,” The Star-Ledger recounted. “After agreeing to cooperate with the government, Dwek was cast in the role of a crooked developer in a long-running investigation that spanned from Hudson County to Brooklyn to the Jersey Shore.”
Given the rescheduling of Dwek’s sentence, it appears that the investigation and resulting prosecutions have a way to go.
In other words, expect more indictments – perhaps more indictments of haredi rabbis involved in money laundering and related crimes.
[Hat Tip: Burich.]