Irvington Zoning Worker Pleads Guilty To Attempted Extortion

IRVINGTON, NJ — An Irvington man admitted that he solicited “corrupt payments” from a man posing as a land developer while working as a zoning officer with the township, authorities announced Thursday.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Derrick James, 60, pleaded guilty to attempted extortion under color of official right. James remains on bail pending sentencing on this charge.

Prosecutors alleged:

“From September 2018 to December 2018, while employed as a zoning officer with the Township of Irvington Building and Construction Department (TIBCD), James represented to a cooperating witness who posed as a land developer in New York and New Jersey that James could facilitate the acquisition of the necessary permits for the proposed rehabilitation of a certain residential property in Irvington. The TIBCD processed the issuance of permits for construction, renovations, and alterations to building structures in Irvington in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, which required that contractors registered and licensed with the State of New Jersey perform certain residential construction. The TIBCD also required the seal of a licensed New Jersey contractor on building, plumbing, and electrical permit applications to issue permits.”

Prosecutors continued:

“James met with the cooperating witness on two occasions, during which he accepted a total of approximately $1,500 in cash payments from the cooperating witness. During the meetings, James outlined a corrupt arrangement whereby in exchange for a $1,000 payment and a further $1,000 payment per permit, James would arrange for licensed New Jersey contractors to place their official seals on permit applications for the Irvington property. James further guaranteed that an Irvington inspector would inspect the property and grant the necessary approvals. James told the cooperating witness that the cooperating witness’ payments would also be passed on to the licensed New Jersey contractors and Irvington inspector that James recruited to the scheme.”

Prosecutors said the count of attempted extortion under color of official right carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 29.

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