Former Morris Co. Freeholder Took Thousands In Bribes

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A former Morris County Freeholder has admitted to taking thousands of dollars in bribes while he held the position, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

On Nov. 17, John Cesaro, 53, of Parsippany, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in official and political matters.

His charges stem from accusations of him accepting nearly $8,000 in bribes between April and May 2018, in Randolph, Mountain Lakes, and Morristown.

According to officials, Cesaro took around $7,700 in “illegal campaign contributions” from a cooperating witness, promising to use his influence as a freeholder, a position now referred to as a county commissioner, to hire the briber’s employer, a law firm, for government legal work.

Cesaro’s original indictment included charges of official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, acceptance or receipt of unlawful benefit by public servant, tampering with public records or information, falsifying or tampering with records, and concealment or misrepresentation of contributions or expenditures.

Last week’s accepted plea bargain only charges him with conspiracy to commit bribery in official and political matters, and authorities are looking to sentence him to five years in prison come his hearing in January.

In addition to prison time, Cesaro will have to forfeit the $7,700 gained from the scheme and pay a public corruption profiteering penalty of around $23,000. He is also barred from serving in a public office, permanently.

Cesaro was indicted along with three other defendants involved in the bribery roundup. Read more: Former Morris County Freeholder Indicted For Taking Bribes