U.S. authorities say Sherrer received a $2K bribe from another corrections employee
Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner Lydell Sherrer in this 2009 file photo. Sherrer has been suspended without pay today, two days after he was arrested on bribery charges.TRENTON — Lydell Sherrer, the Department of Corrections assistant commissioner arrested on bribery charges Tuesday, was suspended without pay today.
Corrections spokeswoman Deirdre Fedkenheuer said Sherrer had already been removed from his duties immediately after his arrest in Princeton, where federal authorities say he received a $2,000 bribe from another Corrections employee.
The department has declined to answer questions about the charges against Sherrer, but released a statement from Commissioner Gary Lanigan saying, "Whether you’re an officer, a civilian, or a member of the executive staff, if you’re corrupt, you will go to prison."
Sherrer, 51, of Neptune, is a 29-year veteran of the department, starting his career as a corrections officer at East Jersey State Prison in Avenel.
Sherrer was the deputy commissioner in charge of prison operations until Lanigan took over the department and demoted him earlier this year to assistant commissioner. In that position he oversaw community programs, including contracts with nonprofit organizations and private companies.
Federal authorities said Sherrer solicited bribes from two Corrections employees – one facing a layoff, the other a demotion — offering to use his influence to help them land new jobs or pursue a lawsuit. He allegedly solicited $18,500, receiving $9,000 before his arrest.
Sherrer declined to comment on the charges against him on Tuesday, when he was released on $100,000 bond. The federal public defender assigned to Sherrer did not respond to a phone message today.
Previous coverage:
• Federal authorities arrest high-ranking N.J. corrections official