NEWARK, N.J. – Jhonnatan Steven Rodriguez, a 32-year-old Florida resident, has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for fraudulently opening over 100 bank accounts, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Rodriguez, also known as ‘Jorge,’ opened the bank accounts for unknown individuals in exchange for bribes of approximately $200 to $250 per account. He used the alias ‘Jorge’ on a text messaging app to communicate with the individuals seeking bank accounts. The scheme, which began in late 2022, resulted in Rodriguez fraudulently opening around 140 bank accounts, some of which were used for fraudulent activities.
Rodriguez would often forge the purported customers’ signatures on account opening documents to carry out the bribery scheme. He faces serious charges, including receipt of bribes by a bank employee and making false bank entries, which carry maximum penalties of 30 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million or three times the value of the bribes accepted.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by special agents and task force officers of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Caribbean Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Miranda; and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca.
U.S. Attorney Habba praised the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and thanked the Morristown Police Department for its assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
Rodriguez’s sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2025. His defense counsel is Murdoch Walker, Esq. and Serguel Akiti, Esq. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of rooting out corruption and ensuring the integrity of our financial institutions.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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