NEWARK, N.J. — A Newark business owner admitted in federal court on Wednesday to bribing a former high-ranking city official in exchange for assistance in acquiring and redeveloping Newark-owned properties, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Irwin Sablosky, 64, of Springfield, N.J., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to charges of honest services fraud and bribery. Sablosky admitted providing cash and luxury jewelry to Carmelo Garcia, a former Newark deputy mayor and director of the Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development, in exchange for Garcia’s help in acquiring city-owned properties for redevelopment.
“Sablosky corrupted the public official’s independent judgment and violated the public trust for his own financial gain,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said in a statement. “Our office will continue to work with law enforcement to protect the people of New Jersey from public officials and those who bribe them.”
The bribery scheme, which spanned from 2017 to 2019, involved Sablosky and co-defendant Frank Valvano Jr., 56, of Florham Park, N.J., providing Garcia with monetary payments and gifts of high-end watches and chains. In return, Garcia used his influence within Newark and its development corporation, the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC), to benefit their real estate interests.
In one instance, in June 2018, Sablosky and Valvano provided $25,000 in cash to Garcia, then Newark’s acting deputy mayor, through an intermediary, according to court records. Phone records and text messages showed frequent communication between the trio, with Garcia coordinating bribe payments.
The charges of honest services fraud carry a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, while the bribery charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. Each charge could also result in fines of $250,000 or twice the amount of the financial gain from the offense. Sablosky is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2025.
Garcia, 59, of Hoboken, N.J., pleaded guilty earlier to related charges, including conspiracy to defraud the city of Newark and receiving bribes. His sentencing is pending. Valvano’s case remains ongoing.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.
