Cliffside Park resident Jose A. Izquierdo, 52, who owns JAI Architects and JAI Law in West New York, said he lied to FBI agents who were investigating in 2006 whether he had made corrupt payments, according to the release.
Izquierdo at first told FBI agents that the board member repaid him for the Pomeranian dog and supplies, but recently admitted that animal had been part of a bribe, according to the release.
Officials did not say who it was that Izquierdo allegedly paid off.
However, there have been two officials in nearby towns who recently pleaded guilty to bribe-related crimes.
In June, a former member of the Union City Board of Adjustments, John Medina, 38, pleaded guilty to accepting more than $20,000 in bribes from a contractor, according to a release from the U.S. attorney's office.
Medina faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and will be sentenced Sept. 22.
In July, a West New York construction code officer, Franco Zandardelli, 58, who also worked in nearby towns, recently pleaded guilty to accepting money and other gifts as bribes, totaling more than $30,000. Zandardelli admitted that the corrupt payments were from both individuals and businesses wanting to speed up the process for permits and other approvals, according to a press release. He will be sentenced on Nov. 10.
West New York agencies According to the press release, Izquierdo said that he represented various West New York government agencies from about 2000 until 2006 and that he also worked for builders and developers with various properties in West New York and other Hudson County towns.
Izquierdo pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Garrett Brown on Monday and was released on $50,000 bail.
He will face sentencing on Dec. 15, according to the release. The charges against him carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Judge Brown will consult sentencing guidelines, but he is not restricted to those guidelines when determining the appropriate sentence, according to the release.
A woman answering the phone at Izquierdo's architectural firm last week said he was on vacation until next week.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Howe did not return a phone call for additional comment last week.
Izquierdo also contributed $5,400 from 2005 to 2006 to Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) for his congressional campaign.
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