By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
As many as 10 officers with the Jersey City Police Department are under investigation by the FBI for an alleged private security scheme.
Those police officers may be charged with corruption as early as next year, sources told New York 4.
The scheme involves off-duty officers taking security jobs from private companies, which are required to hire the help through the city and pay extra administrative fees. Investigators allege the officers demanded cash without going through the city.
One former officer, Juan Romaniello, pleaded guilty in federal court last month for participating in the scheme and taking more than $200,000 in improper payments and never paying tax on the money.
The FBI declined to comment on the investigation, but expressed the importance of fighting public corruption.
“Per official policy, the FBI cannot confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of an investigation,” FBI spokesman Michael Whitaker said. “However, combating public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal investigative priority and we encourage the public to call the FBI with any information.”
