Two Former Hudson County Parks Directors Charged in Bribery Scheme

Federal prosecutors charged two former directors of the Hudson County Department of Parks and Community Services this week with accepting bribes and kickbacks from a county contractor in exchange for steering government contracts.

Thomas A. DeLeo, 76, of Little Silver, who served as Parks Department Director from approximately 2016 until December 2021, pleaded guilty on March 5 before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Russell Fallacara, 58, of Bayonne, who served as Parks Department Director from approximately January 2022 through February 2024, made his initial appearance on March 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre M. Espinosa on charges of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Fallacara was released on bond.

According to court documents, beginning in or around 2019, DeLeo accepted bribes and kickbacks from William A. Murray, owner of Murray Paving and Concrete, LLC, in exchange for approving contracts and fraudulently inflated invoices submitted by Murray Paving to Hudson County. In or about 2020, DeLeo received a bag containing between approximately $60,000 and $90,000 in cash. Murray also completed hundreds of thousands of dollars in free home renovations for DeLeo and his associates. The total value of bribes and kickbacks received by DeLeo exceeded $550,000.

Fallacara is alleged to have participated in a similar scheme with Murray beginning in or around 2022. According to the criminal complaint, Fallacara received more than $400,000 in cash payments and free renovations to his residence in exchange for approving contracts and invoices submitted by Murray Paving. The total value of bribes and kickbacks paid by Murray to both officials exceeded $1.5 million.

Murray, 56, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty on March 17 to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.