NEWARK, N.J. — A Newark expediter admitted Wednesday to conspiring to bribe city officials, including former Councilmember Joseph A. McCallum Jr., and to fabricating official city documents for real estate and construction projects, federal prosecutors said.
Lamont Baxter, 49, also pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic, collecting over $40,000 in relief funds, according to U.S. Attorney John Giordano.
Key Points
- Lamont Baxter admitted to bribery, wire fraud, and falsifying Newark documents.
- Bribes were made to former Councilmember McCallum to secure real estate approvals.
- Baxter fraudulently obtained over $40,000 in PPP loans during the pandemic.
Between 2017 and August 2022, Baxter served as a liaison between developers and Newark agencies, helping expedite permits and approvals in exchange for cash bribes. He used terms like “taking care of” officials to signal when extra cash was needed, sometimes pocketing money himself under false pretenses.
Prosecutors said Baxter conspired with developers to pay cash bribes exceeding $5,000 to McCallum between 2019 and 2020. McCallum previously pleaded guilty in 2022 to wire fraud and filing a false tax return in connection with the scheme.
In addition to bribery, Baxter admitted to producing fake Certificates of Continued Occupancy, Certificates of Code Compliance, and “cut-in cards” to convince buyers and utility providers that properties met inspection standards.
From 2020 to 2021, Baxter submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications using fake tax forms and misrepresented business ownership. One application falsely listed him as the owner of a lounge he did not control.
Baxter pleaded guilty to seven counts including conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and up to 10 years for bribery. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12.