Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas, one of five public figures charged in a state pay-to-play investigation, would serve five years in prison with no chance for parole if he accepts a deal offered by the state Attorney General on Monday.
The offer was extended at a virtual arraignment before state Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor.
Authorities allege that Thomas, 45, accepted $35,000 in 2019 from a “cooperating witness” –known to be Morristown attorney Matt O’Donnell — in return for promises of legal work with the Jersey City school board. Thomas has denied the accusations.
A grand jury indicted Thomas last month on charges of official misconduct, a pattern of official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, and acceptance or receipt of unlawful benefit by a public servant. All are second degree offenses, which each can bring 10 years in state prison and $150,000 fines upon conviction.
In addition to jail time, Thomas would forfeit $10,000 of alleged bribes, along with any state pension eligibility and the right to hold public office, if he agrees to plead guilty to official misconduct, state Deputy Attorney General John Nicodomo said during Monday’s Zoom hearing.
Thomas’ attorney, Matthew Troiano, said this was the first time he was hearing about the offer.
Before entering a private discussion with Nicodemo, Troiano told the judge he anticipates taking the case to trial and asked for time to review “voluminous” evidence. Taylor scheduled an update for May.
Thomas was among five people charged in December 2019 with accepting bribes. The others received–and rejected–plea offers in March 2020. Former Morris County Freeholder candidate Mary Dougherty last month pleaded to a downgraded charge of filing a false campaign report, in return for a recommended sentence of probation.
Cases still are pending against former Morris Freeholder John Cesaro, former Mt. Arlington Councilman John Windish and former state Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell (no relation to Matt O’Donnell) of Bayonne.
Separately, Matt O’Donnell law partner Elizabeth Valandingham faces state prosecution in an alleged scheme to dodge campaign finance laws to procure hefty municipal contracts. Five of her relatives and friends also were charged as “straw donors” in that probe.
Thomas also faces federal prosecution in a separate investigation. The former acting executive director of the nonprofit Jersey City Employment and Training Program was indicted in November on charges of embezzlement, money laundering and fraud.
