Former Newark council member and consultant sentenced in bribery and tax fraud case
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The U.S. Department of Justice said Joseph A. McCallum Jr., a former Newark City Council and Newark Community Economic Development Corporation board member, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to honest services wire fraud and subscribing to a false 2018 tax return. Malik Frederick, a former developer consultant, was sentenced to 25 months after pleading guilty to participating in the honest services wire fraud conspiracy and subscribing to a false 2017 tax return.
According to court documents and statements cited by the DOJ, Frederick paid concealed bribes and kickbacks to McCallum through consulting fees from businesses seeking Newark development, construction and real estate contracts and approvals. The DOJ said McCallum used his official positions to support projects linked to those payments; both men also received one year of supervised release.
The case highlights risks where third-party consultants, success-based fees and public-sector decision-makers intersect. Effective controls should scrutinise intermediary access arrangements, commission flows and conflicts involving public officials.