Lamont Baxter, a Newark-based expediter, has admitted to conspiring to bribe Newark public officials and engaging in fraudulent activities related to real estate development and construction. U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced the guilty plea.
Baxter, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to seven counts, including conspiring to give bribes to Newark officials and committing wire fraud in connection with various schemes. The charges relate to his role as an expediter from 2017 through August 2022, during which he facilitated transactions between developers and city officials by paying bribes.
"Baxter would often use the term 'taking care of' a Newark official," indicating when additional payments were needed for bribery purposes. In one instance, Baxter fraudulently obtained $10,000 by pretending it was necessary for a bribe but kept the money himself.
From 2019 to 2020, Baxter delivered cash bribes exceeding $5,000 to then-Councilmember Joseph A. McCallum Jr., who later admitted receiving these bribes as part of his own guilty plea in March 2022.
Additionally, Baxter conspired with others to create falsified documents purportedly issued by the City of Newark and participated in schemes to obtain federal COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans fraudulently. He secured over $40,000 in PPP loan funds using false information.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; the bribery charge carries up to ten years; each wire fraud-related charge carries up to twenty years. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited several agencies with the investigation leading to Baxter's guilty plea: FBI’s Newark Field Office under Special Agent Terence G. Reilly; IRS-Criminal Investigation under Special Agent Jenifer L. Piovesan; and HUD’s Office of Inspector General under Special Agent Shawn Rice.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Jihee G. Suh and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori from the Special Prosecutions Division and Chief Katherine Calle from the Opioid Unit.
All other co-conspirators identified remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
