Three individuals have admitted guilt in a bribery and fraud case related to business activities at Newark Liberty International Airport. The announcement was made by Caroline Sadlowski, Attorney for the United States.
Edward Dolphin, aged 65 from Tomball, Texas, confessed on February 19, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Quraishi in Trenton federal court. He faced charges of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. James Wajda, aged 59 from Cement City, Michigan, also pleaded guilty on the same day and before the same judge to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Ronald Delucia, aged 70 from Wayne, New Jersey, entered his plea today before Judge Quraishi to two counts: conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Court documents reveal that Dolphin was an employee of an airline operating at Newark Airport. From as early as 2014 until November 2022, he held positions that allowed him influence over contract awards. In exchange for bribes and kickbacks totaling over $1.6 million from various vendors including Delucia's company, Dolphin used his position to favor certain companies.
Wajda served as Chief Operating Officer for a Des Plaines-based company providing services at Newark Airport. In December 2021 and March 2022, he conspired with Delucia in a fraudulent invoicing scheme resulting in approximately $38,600 being funneled back to him through his personal limited liability company.
Delucia admitted involvement with other co-conspirators who had previously pleaded guilty: Alok Saksena, Anthony Rosalli, and Lovella Rogan—all of whom influenced contract awards at Newark Airport in exchange for bribes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Caroline Sadlowski stated: “The defendants exploited their positions within their respective companies to enrich themselves while defrauding others... We will hold to account those who break the law to line their own pockets.”
Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly commented on the schemes' reprehensible nature while Port Authority Inspector General John Gay emphasized how such corruption erodes public trust.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment per count along with potential fines reaching $250,000 each count; sentencing dates are set for June and July this year.
Special agents involved were credited by Sadlowski for their roles leading up these charges alongside investigators from Port Authority Office Inspector General under John Gay’s direction among others involved throughout this investigation process spearheaded by Assistant U.S Attorneys Katherine J Calle & Francesca Liquori within Special Prosecutions Division located here locally inside our very own city - Newark itself!
