A former Newark code enforcement officer admitted soliciting a bribe from a local business in exchange for allowing it to reopen despite alleged code violations, state officials announced Friday.
NEWARK, NJ – A former Newark code enforcement officer has pleaded guilty after prosecutors said she sought a bribe from a local business owner in exchange for overlooking municipal code violations and allowing the business to reopen. The plea was announced Friday by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
Sonia Rogers, 51, of Newark, pleaded guilty Friday in Essex County Superior Court to one count of third-degree conspiracy to commit bribery before Judge Naazneen B. Khan. Under a plea agreement, Rogers will permanently forfeit public employment in New Jersey and face a recommended sentence of probation with a condition requiring up to 364 days in the county jail, subject to the court’s approval.
Investigation detailed alleged bribery scheme
According to prosecutors, the case stemmed from an investigation into Rogers’ conduct during a code enforcement inspection at a Newark business in September 2024. Authorities alleged Rogers entered the store in uniform, determined the business had an expired municipal license, and ordered it closed.
Investigators said Rogers then told store management that she would allow the business to reopen if she received a cash payment in return. Under Newark’s code enforcement regulations, the business was required to remain closed until it passed a fire inspection and its business license was reinstated.
As part of her guilty plea, Rogers admitted that after initially requesting cash, she instead accepted store merchandise without paying in exchange for reopening the business and not issuing fines.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said public officials who abuse their authority undermine public confidence.
“It is deeply damaging to our communities when public officials prey upon business owners and members of their community in this way, instead of being fair, doing their jobs, and doing what’s right,” Davenport said. “My office will continue to work diligently to root out public corruption and ensure that those in positions of public trust do their jobs with the utmost integrity.”
Sentencing scheduled in August
OPIA detectives arrested Rogers in February 2025 following a months-long investigation. A state grand jury later indicted her on Aug. 19, 2025.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 14. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorneys General Robert J. Serrano and Samantha Eaton of the OPIA Corruption Bureau.
Key Points
- Former Newark code enforcement officer Sonia Rogers pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to commit bribery.
- Prosecutors said she solicited a bribe from a Newark business in exchange for reopening the store and overlooking code violations.
- Rogers will permanently forfeit public employment in New Jersey, with sentencing scheduled for Aug. 14.
