By: Richard L. Smith
A New York real estate developer is facing federal charges after authorities accused him of bribing City of Newark employees to obtain permits and certificates for properties he owned, while also participating in a scheme to sell identification cards bearing the insignia of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 31-year-old Menashe Davidovitz of Airmont, New York, was charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery involving a federally funded local government, conspiracy to sell false seals, and conspiracy to sell official insignia.
Federal prosecutors allege that between June 2024 and November 2024, Davidovitz provided cash and other benefits to Newark employees in exchange for official actions related to properties he owned in the city.
Authorities said the alleged bribes were used to secure permits, certificates, including certificates of occupancy, and assistance in resolving property violations.
In a separate scheme, prosecutors said Davidovitz worked with co-conspirators between October 2021 and January 2023 to sell “Law Enforcement Family Member” identification cards.
The cards allegedly identified holders as family members of Jonathan Ledesma, a former U.S. Air Marshal, and were embossed with what appeared to be the Department of Homeland Security insignia.
The cards also contained a QR code linked to Ledesma’s cellphone.
Authorities allege Davidovitz was not authorized to use or sell the DHS insignia, or any imitation of it, and received approximately $30,000 from the sale of the cards.