Former Jersey City School Board President Pleads Guilty to Bribery, Faces Five-Year Prison

Sudhan Thomas, the former president of the Jersey City Board of Education, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in official and political matters, admitting he accepted $35,000 in cash bribes in 2019 from a tax attorney in exchange for promising public contracts if his campaigns for city council and board reelection were successful. Under a plea deal, the state will recommend a five-year prison sentence, though Thomas may seek a lesser sentence at his October sentencing hearing. He agreed to forfeit $10,000 in illegal proceeds, pay a $30,000 public corruption profiteering penalty, and is permanently banned from holding public office or employment in New Jersey, along with a five-year debarment from doing business with the state or its subdivisions. Attorney General Matthew Platkin emphasized the case reflects the office’s commitment to fighting public corruption and ensuring elected officials serve the public good rather than personal gain. The guilty plea was entered before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter J. Tober, and law enforcement recovered the second $25,000 payment immediately after it was accepted by Thomas. Jersey City Councilman James Solomon commented that the case exemplifies the corruption burden borne by Jersey City residents and highlighted his opposition to such corruption.