Jury Convicts Fairview, New Jersey Man of Attempted Extortion and Bribery of Ridgefield Mayor

NEWARK—A Newark jury found Fairview, N.J., resident Vincent Tabbachino guilty today of one count each of attempted extortion and bribery for offering and agreeing to give a corrupt payment to Ridgefield, N.J., Mayor Anthony R. Suarez, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Suarez, 43, was acquitted of the charges against him.

Tabbachino, 69, was convicted following four days of deliberation at the conclusion of a three-week trial before United States District Judge Jose L. Linares. The evidence at trial showed that Tabbachino had agreed to arrange for Suarez to receive a $10,000 bribe payment in an attempt to assist a cooperating witness in obtaining real estate development approvals in Ridgefield. Tabbachino was acquitted of one count of extortion conspiracy.

Tabbachino faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison on the attempted extortion count and 10 years in prison on the bribery count, as well as a maximum $250,000 fine for each charge. Sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2011. In addition, Tabbachino is charged with three money laundering counts, which were severed from the initial Indictment by Judge Linares, and which are pending a separate trial.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, and IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Victor W. Lessoff, for the investigation of this and related cases.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. McCarren and Maureen Nakly.

As for the pending counts against Tabbachino, they are merely accusations, and he is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense counsel:

Suarez: Michael Critchley, Esq.; John Vazquez, Esq., Roseland, N.J.
Tabbachino: Anthony Kress, Esq., Hackensack, N.J.