TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin revealed today that a Newark code enforcement officer has been indicted by a state grand jury on corruption charges after allegedly soliciting bribes and free goods from a local retailer in return for lifting enforcement actions and preventing city fines.
Sonia Rogers, 50, from Newark, is accused of misusing her official power during a September 2024 inspection at a store located on Broad Street. The indictment states that Rogers ordered the business to close, then requested $800 in cash or free merchandise in exchange for permitting the store to reopen and avoiding penalties related to code violations.
Rogers is facing four second-degree charges:
- Official Misconduct
- Bribery in Official and Political Matters
- Theft by Extortion
- Acceptance or Receipt of an Unlawful Benefit by a Public Servant for Official Behavior
Each of these charges carries a potential sentence of five to ten years in state prison, along with fines that could reach up to $150,000.
Bribe Solicitation in Uniform
Authorities claim that Rogers, while in uniform, informed the store’s management that their municipal business license had expired and that the store could not reopen without a fire inspection and a reinstated license. She then allegedly proposed to ignore these requirements in exchange for personal compensation.
Initially, Rogers reportedly sought a cash payment but eventually accepted unpaid merchandise from the store. Prosecutors assert that she used the threat of official action—such as continued closure or fines—to coerce the store into complying with her demands.
“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,” said Attorney General Platkin. “My office is committed to prosecuting such abuses.”
Rogers is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
