More Corruption: FBI Arrests East Orange Construction Code Official

NEWARK, NJ—Today, Special Agent In Charge Weysan Dun announced the arrest of BILLIE F. THOMAS, also known as “Billie Mohamed," age 55 of East Orange. The arrest occurred yesterday morning.  Thomas is charged with two counts of obstructing, delaying, and affecting interstate commerce by extortion under color of official right.

According to the criminal complaint, the first count of extortion occurred between February and November of 2007 when Thomas allegedly demanded payment of $3,000 in exchange for securing the necessary inspections and certificate of occupancy on a store expansion project in East Orange. After the first payment was made, Thomas allegedly demanded and accepted through intermediaries an additional $4,000 in cash. According to the complaint, Thomas’ “co-schemer” assured the store owner that Thomas would not make any more demands of money or withhold the certificate of occupancy once the payment was made.

Based on the complaint, a similar scheme allegedly involving Thomas occurred between August and October of 2008. This time, the project was an apartment building renovation. The allegations in the complaint state that Thomas told the building manager that the manager had to make cash bribe payments to Thomas through an intermediary in order to secure the necessary inspection certificates and permits.

Thomas had his initial appearance yesterday before the Honorable Clair C. Cecci, United States Magistrate Judge. Thomas was released on $50,000 bail and must officially inform the city of East Orange of the charges against him and show proof of the announcement to the court by September 11, 2009. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum penalty of up to 40 years' imprisonment on each count plus fines. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.   

Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun remarked, “This case is a textbook example of corruption. The allegations against Mr. Thomas demonstrate a complete lack of respect for the taxpayers, the city of East Orange, and the official office that Mr. Thomas holds. It is this attitude of entitlement that we seek to change in those who seek a position of public service. But this must be a cooperative effort between law enforcement and the community and it starts in the hearts and minds of each and every New Jersey citizen.”  Dun thanks the FBI agents assigned to the Newark corruption squad for their dedication in this matter.