Beldini was convicted of taking $20K in bribes
Leona Beldini, a former Jersey City deputy mayor convicted of bribery in connection to last summer's sweeping FBI sting, was sentenced today in federal court in Newark to three years in prison.
The 75-year-old Democrat stood silently as U.S. District Judge Jose Linares announced her sentence. She must also pay a $30,000 fine.
Beldini faced up to four years and three months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. Before being sentenced, she asked Linares for mercy, saying she had never before been so afraid.
"I stand before you facing the most terrifying moment of my whole life,” Beldini said, her voice shaking.
She was found guilty in February of accepting $20,000 in illegal campaign contributions in exchange for promising to help secure development approvals. The case was among dozens to stem from the massive sting anchored by Solomon Dwek, an admitted real estate swindler who became an FBI informant. He spent more than two years posing as a crooked real estate developer trying to trade envelopes of cash for building permits.
Beldini’s lawyer, Brian J. Neary, urged Linares to spare her from prison, saying she suffered from myriad health problems and had already suffered tremendously as a result of the conviction. “She has lost a career. She has lost a business. She has lost the admiration for her community,” Neary said.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Moser argued Beldini's crime required incarceration, saying public corruption undermines the system binding our society together.
“The scourge of corruption strikes at the very heart of our democratic system of government,” Moser said.
Beldini was treasurer for Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, and authorities say the cash went into his campaign. The mayor was not charged.
Previous coverage:
• Ex-Jersey City deputy mayor Leona Beldini faces sentencing for accepting $20K bribe
• Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini is found guilty on two charges in N.J. corruption trial
• Closing arguments in N.J. corruption trial offer contrasting views of Leona Beldini
• Massive N.J. corruption case goes to court with trial of former Jersey City official
• Healy suspends all city employees caught in corruption probe
NJ corruption trial hidden camera video of Solomon Dwek talking to Leona Beldini about political contributions and real estate projects
| U.S. Attorney pleased with the result of Leona Beldini Case |
| Beldini's attorney: 'Political contributions are not bribes' |