A Newark expediter, Lamont Baxter, has admitted to conspiring to bribe public officials in Newark and participating in fraudulent activities related to real estate transactions. Baxter's plea was announced by U.S. Attorney John Giordano.
Baxter, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to seven counts of charges including conspiracy to bribe Newark officials and wire fraud connected with falsified documents purportedly issued by the City of Newark.
From 2017 through August 2022, Baxter acted as a liaison between developers and Newark officials for expedited permits and approvals. He conspired with others to pay cash bribes to various officials for completing requested official acts on behalf of developers.
In one instance, Baxter fraudulently obtained $10,000 by falsely claiming it was needed as a bribe for a Newark official but kept the money himself.
Between 2019 and 2020, Baxter delivered cash bribes exceeding $5,000 to then-Councilmember Joseph A. McCallum Jr., who had previously admitted receiving such bribes while serving as a Councilmember.
Baxter also participated in creating falsified Certificates of Continued Occupancy (CCOs) and Certificates of Code Compliance (CCCs) issued by the City of Newark. These were used to fraudulently obtain payments from individuals needing these documents for property-related transactions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Baxter engaged in fraudulent schemes to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using false tax forms and information about companies' revenue. This resulted in over $40,000 being obtained through PPP loans.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison while bribery charges carry up to ten years each. Wire fraud charges could result in up to twenty years per count. Sentencing is set for August 12, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited several agencies including the FBI’s Newark Field Office and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their roles in the investigation leading to Baxter's guilty plea.
Deputy Chief Jihee G. Suh along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori represent the government alongside Chief Katherine Calle from the Opioid Unit.
All other co-conspirators are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel: John A. McMahon