NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Officials say a New Jersey police officer has pleaded guilty to a bribery scheme and will also forfeit about $40,000 he made in the conspiracy.
Acting U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick said Thursday 35-year-old Michael O’Leary pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a bribery charge.
Fitzpatrick says O’Leary was a Jersey City officer from 2013 to 2016 when he bribed another officer who was authorized to assign off-duty work in exchange for that officer approving phony work vouchers.
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O’Leary was then paid for work he never did.
He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He must also forfeit $39,587 he made in the scheme.
His attorney, John Lynch, says O’Leary served two tours in Iraq and is a “good guy” who made a mistake.
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