Jersey City police officer was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison
NEWARK NJ April 21 2018Â — A Jersey City police officer was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today for getting paid for no-show off-duty jobs in a scandal that has resulted in 11 officers pleading guilty, including the former chief of police.
“This was a criminal act of corruption and bribery committed by a police officer who was sworn to uphold the law,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna at the sentencing of former Jersey City Police Officer Ehab Abdelaziz, 38.
Before sentencing Abdelaziz, District Court Judge Michael Vasquez said “The court is well aware of the reality of working in a large department and if people above you are making indications that this is OK, it does become the norm. It becomes the culture.”
Zacche, 61, pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Abdelaziz, of Clifton, pleaded guilty in Newark on Oct. 3, 2017 to one count of conspiring with Officer Andrea Fahrenholz, 38, also of Clifton, to be paid for off-duty jobs he never worked. Fahrenholz pleaded guilty to the same charge that day.
As part of his sentence, Abdelaziz must pay $33,955 in restitution to Jersey City and he can never hold public employment again. Abdelaziz previously served on Paterson’s zoning board, but tendered his resignation around the time he was charged with the federal crime.
Before being sentence Abdelziz spoke tearfully, saying he was truly remorseful and that he has embarrassed his family, his children, his former coworkers and his friends. He said going along with the scheme was the worst decision he ever made.
“I loved my career,” the officer said while standing at the defense table with his lawyer, Anthony Iocullo. “I lost the respect I had from my peers at one point. I am just trying to get past this, support my family and make the best of this after it is all over.”
The conspiracy centers around the off-duty jobs program, which allows officers to work off-duty for private contractors as security or at traffic details. The companies are supposed to pay the city, which then pays the officers.
The officer involved admitted allowing companies to operate work sites without officers present; approving and submitting phony pay vouchers for work the officers never performed; and accepting cash from private companies and fellow cops in exchange for their participation in the scheme.
Former Jersey City police officers Michael O’Leary, Victor Sanchez and Christopher Ortega have already been sentenced. Sanchez and Ortega were spared prison time but O’Leary was also sentenced to 18 months.
Former Jersey City Police Chief Phil Zacche admitted in federal court to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Jersey City Housing Authority through no-show off-duty jobs he was paid for.
Abdelaziz must surrender to federal authorities in about six weeks when his prison facility has been selected. The judge said he would request the facility is as close as possible to northern New Jersey. He must also serve two years of supervised relief after incarceration.
The former officer has three young daughters. The judge acknowledges receiving numerous letters from people on Abdelaziz’s behalf. Abdelaziz’s brother, as well as a Jersey City police detective spoke on his behalf at the sentencing, asking the judge to be lenient.
Abdelaziz, who began his career as a police officer in Paterson, had faced up to five years in prison.
Before sentencing the officer today, Vasquez noted his character and said he did not think there was a danger Abdelaziz would reoffend. There were about a dozen friends and family members in court today supporting the former officer. nj.com
