Former South Jersey Transportation Authority Commissioner Bryan Bush has pleaded guilty to fourth-degree obstruction, resolving his portion of a corruption case involving allegations that two SJTA officials retaliated against a Mercer County political figure.
Bush entered the plea in exchange for a probationary sentence conditioned on forfeiting his right to hold public office or public employment in New Jersey.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10 at 10:30 AM before Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor.
“The Attorney General’s Office is committed to investigating and fighting for accountability in any case where public officials abuse their positions of public trust,” Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said. “Today, this defendant acknowledged obstructing such an investigation. His admission and this resolution of the case ensure that he will never again hold public office or public employment in New Jersey.”
A state grand jury indicted Bush and former SJTA Commissioner Christopher Milam last year on conspiracy, official misconduct, and perjury charges stemming from the 2023 Democratic primary for Mercer County executive. Prosecutors alleged that the two men used their positions to block payments to an engineering firm where Mercer County Commissioner John Cimino worked after Cimino backed Dan Benson against incumbent County Executive Brian Hughes.
The indictment alleged that Milam sent Bush a text message in February 2023 saying, “They cut South Jersey in Mercer County so now we vote no.” Prosecutors also accused the two men of lying under oath to a grand jury about why they opposed the payments.
The payments were ultimately made before the criminal investigation began. Milam and Bush maintained that their votes stemmed from concerns about the engineering firm’s work.
Milam’s case is still moving forward. It’s unclear whether Bush has entered into a cooperation agreement and will testify against Milam.
He is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw on November 19.
Milam has vigorously denied wrongdoing and previously characterized the prosecution as politically motivated. After his indictment, he accused then-Attorney General Matt Platkin of staging a “political spectacle” and said he looked forward to his day in court.
Bush is the business manager of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19.