Newark Real Estate Developer Admits to Participating in Bribery Scheme and to the Unauthorized Sale of I.D. Cards with Department of Homeland Security Insignia

TRENTON, N.J. - Menashe Davidovitz, 31, of Airmont, New York, a real estate developer, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner today to a four-count Information that charged him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with the business and transactions of a federally funded local government and organization, conspiracy to sell false seals and conspiracy to sell official insignia, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. These charges related to Davidovitz's role in a scheme to bribe Newark, New Jersey employees and to sell law enforcement identification cards embossed with the insignia of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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.

Additionally, from October 2021 through January 2023, Davidovitz worked with 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 the DHS as well as a QR code that was linked to Ledesma's cellular 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.

On July 17, 2024, Ledesma pleaded guilty before District Judge Castner to a two-count Information that charged him with making false statements and selling official insignia without authorization. On December 13, 2024, Ledesma was sentenced to three years of probation.

The conspiracy to commit honest services fraud charge that Davidovitz pleaded guilty to carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment. The conspiracy to sell false seals and conspiracy to commit bribery charges each carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment. The conspiracy to sell official insignia charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2027.

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.

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Defense counsel:

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

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