By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark code enforcement officer has been indicted by a state grand jury after she allegedly attempted to solicit cash and merchandise from a local business in exchange for avoiding fines and allowing the store to reopen, according to Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
Authorities announced that Sonia Rogers, 50, of Newark, faces multiple second-degree charges stemming from the September 2024 incident, including official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, theft by extortion, and acceptance of an unlawful benefit.
Each charge carries a potential penalty of five to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $150,000.
Investigators said Rogers, while in uniform, inspected a Broad Street retailer, ordered the business closed, and then allegedly sought an $800 cash payment from store staff in order to reopen the shop and avoid penalties.
Instead of receiving the full cash payment, prosecutors allege she accepted store merchandise without paying.
“The defendant’s actions, in seeking bribes to refrain from enforcing or imposing fines for city code violations, were an abandonment of her duty to keep the public safe, all for the sake of personal gain,” Attorney General Platkin said in a statement.
“This type of alleged corruption, where a business owner and patrons are victimized rather than served by someone representing the municipality, erodes public trust in government institutions, and my office is committed to prosecuting such abuses.”
The indictment further alleges Rogers used her official position to threaten store management with ongoing closure and fines unless they met her demands.
The case is being prosecuted by OPIA, which continues to investigate public corruption and misuse of authority across New Jersey.