Anthony Davis, Taking Bribes, New Jersey 2023

Paterson City Council member and former council president Anthony Davis, 50, of Paterson, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for accepting bribes from a purported developer in exchange for his official help. Davis previously pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to obstruct, delay and affect interstate commerce by extortion under color of official right.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on April 20, 2012, Davis accepted $5,000 in cash from an individual who was cooperating with federal authorities and who purported to be an out-of-state real estate developer. This bribe was taken in exchange for Davis's official action as Paterson City Council president to foster the developer's business interests.

Between July 6, 2012, and July 25, 2012, Davis had meetings with the developer, during which Davis discussed the possibility of accepting additional money from the developer in exchange for a letter from Davis to the developer's lender indicating that the Paterson City Council supported the developer with respect to certain business endeavors in Paterson.

On July 25, 2012, Davis agreed to accept, and did accept, $5,000 in cash from the developer in exchange for such a letter. This letter would have been used to influence the lender's decision and facilitate the developer's business interests in Paterson.

In addition to the prison term, Judge William H. Walls sentenced Davis to two years of supervised release. This is a significant blow to the public trust that has been broken by Davis's actions.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited special agents of the FBI Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to today's sentencing. The case is a prime example of the FBI's commitment to rooting out public corruption and holding those accountable for their actions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna represented the government in this case. Davis's defense counsel was Randy Davenport Esq., of Piscataway, New Jersey.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/paterson-city-council-member-and-former-city-council-president-sentenced-two-years-prison