According
to Director Taylor, the Division of Criminal
Justice Corruption Bureau obtained a state
grand jury indictment charging Enock Moochi,
52, of Jersey City, a suspended East Orange
Health Inspector, with the second-degree
crimes of official misconduct, bribery,
and acceptance or receipt of an unlawful
benefit by a public servant for official
behavior. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum
sentence of 10 years in state prison, and
Moochi, if convicted, would face a mandatory
minimum sentence of five years in prison
without possibility of parole under New
Jersey’s penalty enhancements for
public corruption. The indictment stems
from an investigation by the New Jersey
State Police and the Division of Criminal
Justice.
Earlier
this year, Moochi allegedly solicited a
$1,000 bribe from the owner of a small grocery
store in East Orange, telling the owner
that, in return for the bribe, he would
overlook health code violations that he
had found, including food that had passed
“sell by” expiration dates.
Moochi allegedly agreed to accept the bribe
in two separate payments of $500. He allegedly
received one $500 payment from the food
mart owner on June 30, 2011. He allegedly
received the second $500 payment on July
6, 2011. Moochi was arrested at the store
by detectives of the State Police Official
Corruption Bureau after he allegedly received
the second payment from the owner. He was
suspended by the City of East Orange after
his arrest.
“Not
only did this defendant allegedly enrich
himself unlawfully through his official
position, he did so by agreeing to ignore
regulations meant to safeguard the public’s
health,” said Attorney General Dow.
“He rightfully faces serious criminal
charges in this indictment.”
“Misconduct
of this type undermines public faith in
government,” said Director Taylor.
“We will continue to aggressively
target corruption at all levels of government
in order to send a strong deterrent message
to those who would sell out their duties
for personal gain.”
The
case was presented to the state grand jury
by Deputy Attorney General Richard Queen
of the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption
Bureau. The investigation was conducted
by Lt. Glenn Lubertazzi, Detective Sgt.
First Class Geoffrey Forker, Detective Sgt.
Lisa King, Detective Sgt. Mario DiRienzo,
Detective Brian Murphy, Detective Oliver
Sissman and Detective Pablo Castro of the
State Police Official Corruption Bureau
North Unit, and Deputy Attorney General
Queen. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
provided assistance in the investigation.
