Matthew Calicchio, Voter Bribery Scheme, New Jersey 2013

NEWARK, N.J. – A Hoboken man has confessed to orchestrating a brazen scheme to buy votes in two city elections, federal prosecutors announced today. Matthew Calicchio, 28, admitted guilt in Newark federal court, facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for using the mails to promote voter bribery between 2013 and 2015.

The scheme, directed by Frank Raia, unfolded during the November 2013 Hoboken municipal election. Calicchio, along with Lizaida Camis and Dio Braxton, allegedly paid voters $50 for completing and submitting mail-in ballots. The promise? A $50 check after the election, delivered from an entity linked to Raia. But the deal came with strings attached. Raia reportedly instructed Calicchio, Camis, and Braxton to withhold payment from any voter whose ballot didn’t clearly show support for his preferred candidate and a specific rent control referendum. Ballots were checked, scrutinized, and only those aligning with Raia’s interests earned a payout.

The dirty work wasn’t confined to 2013. In November 2015, Calicchio and Willie Rojas repeated the tactic, this time targeting a City Council race. A candidate, desperate for a win, allegedly told Calicchio, “I want to win at all costs,” and promised payment for every mail-in ballot secured. Rojas supplied the applications, promised the $50 payoff, and personally collected the completed ballots. Calicchio then falsely certified that he’d assisted voters with their ballots – a clear act of perjury – before distributing the checks after the election.

This wasn’t a case of subtle influence; it was a direct attempt to manipulate the democratic process with cash. The U.S. Attorney’s Office paints a picture of a calculated effort to subvert the will of the voters, trading money for votes and then covering tracks with false affidavits. The investigation, a joint effort between the FBI and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General, has already snagged Camis, who has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

While Calicchio has admitted his role, the net is widening. Braxton and Raia have been previously indicted, and Rojas was previously charged by complaint. All remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito made it clear this is far from over, vowing to hold accountable anyone who attempts to undermine the integrity of elections. Sentencing for Calicchio is scheduled for September 12, 2019.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case, exposing the underbelly of political corruption and holding those who abuse their power accountable. This isn’t just about one city; it’s a warning about the fragility of our elections and the lengths some will go to in order to win.