NEWARK, N.J. - A real estate developer was charged yesterday for his role in a scheme to bribe Newark, New Jersey employees and for conspiring to sell law enforcement identification cards embossed with the insignia of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.

Menashe Davidovitz, 31, of Airmont, New York, was charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with the business and transactions of a federally funded local government and organization. Davidovitz was also charged with one count of conspiracy to sell false seals and one count of conspiracy to sell official insignia.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From June 2024 through November 2024, Davidovitz conspired with others to provide City of Newark employees with cash and other benefits in exchange for the employees' official action in matters related to City of Newark properties that Davidovitz owned. Specifically, Davidovitz paid bribes in order to obtain permits and certificates, including certificates of occupancy, which were required before his properties could be occupied or sold. Davidovitz also paid bribes to local officials for their help in resolving violations at his properties.

Further, from October 2021 through January 2023, Davidovitz worked with his co-conspirators, including Jonathan Ledesma, a former U.S. Air Marshal, to sell "Law Enforcement Family Member" cards that identified their bearers as "family member[s]" of Ledesma, "a Federal Officer." These cards were embossed with the apparent insignia of DHS as well as a QR code that was linked to Ledesma's cell phone. Though Davidovitz was not authorized to sell the insignia of the DHS, or any colorable imitation of the insignia, he received approximately $30,000 in proceeds from the sale of these cards.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy and special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Shawn A. Rice with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the U.S. Attorney's Office's Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of U.S. Attorney's Office's Criminal Division.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel:

Jerome A. Ballarotto, Esq., Trenton, New Jersey

John W. Mitchell, Esq., Bedford, New York