Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA), has announced criminal charges against two individuals accused of seeking a bribe from a business owner in Union Township. The defendants, Steven Carr from Staten Island, New York, and Whitney DaSilva from Kearny, New Jersey, are charged with bribery and conspiracy. Carr also faces an additional charge of theft by deception.
The investigation conducted by the OPIA Corruption Bureau alleges that Carr claimed to have a personal connection with a Union Township official who could assist the business owner with legal issues if paid over $10,000. DaSilva allegedly knew about this scheme and offered to facilitate the transfer of bribe money from the business owner to Carr.
According to the complaint, Carr misrepresented that the bribe request came directly from the township official. However, no evidence was found implicating any township official in this scheme.
Attorney General Platkin stated, "As alleged, these defendants tried to get a business owner to pay a bribe. Instead, the owner did the right thing and reported it to law enforcement." He emphasized that such allegations are taken seriously by his office.
Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, commented on the charges: "As the charges in this case show, bribery schemes don’t pay. They will only earn you a criminal case."
The alleged crimes occurred between February and May 2024 during administrative proceedings involving the business owner's establishment in Union Township. It is claimed that DaSilva introduced Carr to the business owner as someone who could resolve their legal issues for a cash payment ranging between $10,000 and $15,000.
If convicted on second-degree charges, each defendant could face five to ten years in state prison and fines up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry potential sentences of three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Deputy Attorneys General Diana Bibb and Brian O’Loughlin are handling prosecution under supervision from Corruption Bureau Deputy Chief Marian Galietta and other senior officials at OPIA.
Defense counsel for both defendants is currently unknown.
