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Crime & Courts

Newark Developer Pleads Guilty in Bribery and DHS Insignia Scheme

Menashe Davidovitz admitted to bribing Newark employees and selling unauthorized DHS-insignia cards.

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 1, 2026, 4:23 p.m. ET
TRENTON, N.J. – Menashe Davidovitz, 31, of Airmont, New York, a real estate developer, guilty on September 1, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner to a four-count Information charging him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a federally funded local government, conspiracy to sell false seals, and conspiracy to sell official insignia, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey. From June 2024 through November 2024, Davidovitz conspired to provide Newark city employees with cash and other benefits in exchange for official action on his properties, including obtaining permits and certificates of occupancy. He also paid bribes to resolve violations. From October 2021 through January 2023, he worked with co-conspirators, including former U.S. Air Marshal Jonathan Ledesma, to sell "Law Enforcement Family Member" cards embossed with DHS insignia, receiving approximately $30,000 in proceeds. Ledesma guilty on July 17, 2024, and was sentenced to three years of probation on December 13, 2024. The conspiracy to commit honest services fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; the bribery and false seals charges each carry up to five years; the official insignia charge carries up to six months. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2027. The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Newark Field Office and the HUD OIG. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori.

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  1. Version 11 Sept 2026, 20:23current

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