A Newark code enforcement officer has been indicted by a state grand jury following allegations that she solicited bribes from a local retailer. The announcement was made by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
Sonia Rogers, 50, of Newark, is accused of using her official position during an inspection of a Broad Street store in September 2024. According to authorities, after closing the business for alleged violations, Rogers allegedly demanded cash payments and free merchandise from the retailer as a condition for reopening the store and not imposing fines.
The indictment charges Rogers with four counts: official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, theft by extortion, and acceptance or receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior. All charges are second-degree offenses in New Jersey and carry potential penalties of five to ten years in prison and fines up to $150,000.
Attorney General Platkin stated, “The defendant’s actions, in seeking bribes to refrain from enforcing or imposing fines for city code violations, were an abandonment of her duty to keep the public safe, all for the sake of personal gain. 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, and my office is committed to prosecuting such abuses.”
Investigators say that Rogers entered the store in uniform and ordered it closed after an inspection. She then informed management that their municipal business license had expired. It is alleged that she requested $800 as a bribe to allow the store to reopen before required fire inspections were completed or the license was reinstated. Authorities further allege that when cash was not provided, Rogers accepted merchandise from the store instead.
The grand jury also found evidence supporting extortion charges based on threats Rogers allegedly made to take or withhold official action unless her demands were met.
Officials emphasized that these charges are accusations at this stage; Rogers is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Deputy Attorneys General Diana Bibb and Samantha Eaton are leading the prosecution under supervision from Corruption Bureau Deputy Chief Laura Croce; Bureau Co-Directors Jeffrey J. Manis and Eric Gibson; and OPIA Director Drew Skinner. Defense counsel information was not available at this time.
