Ex-Hudson parks chief admits taking bribes

Former Hudson County Parks Director Russell Fallacara admitted Wednesday that he accepted more than $400,000 in cash bribes and free home renovations in exchange for steering county contracts to a favored contractor, becoming the third man to plead guilty in a sweeping federal corruption investigation that prosecutors say involved more than $1.5 million in bribes and kickbacks.

Fallacara pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire Cecchi to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. The charge stems from a scheme that prosecutors say operated from 2019 through 2024 and deprived Hudson County residents of the honest services of public officials.

According to federal prosecutors, contractor William A. Murray paid more than $1.5 million in bribes and kickbacks to Hudson County officials to secure lucrative contracts for landscape maintenance, paving, and general contracting work.

Fallacara admitted that after succeeding Thomas DeLeo as parks director in 2022, he accepted at least $400,000 in cash, along with free renovations to his home, in exchange for approving contracts and invoices for Murray’s company.

The information filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Murray’s company performed more than $5 million in work for Hudson County, much of it through a cooperative purchasing system that allowed contracts to be awarded through a streamlined process.

As parks director, Fallacara played a key role in pricing projects, approving contracts, authorizing change orders and emergency work, and signing off on vendor invoices.   Prosecutors also allege that officials approved inflated invoices containing false expenses that benefited Murray’s company.

Federal authorities said Fallacara and Murray used text messages and emails to further the conspiracy, including communications concerning renovations being performed at Fallacara’s residence at no cost to him.

Fallacara is the latest defendant to plead guilty in the case.

DeLeo pleaded guilty on March 3 to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Murray pleaded guilty on March 17 to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

The honest services fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, although first-time offenders rarely receive the maximum sentence.  Prosecutors are also seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the offense.