Logan F. Holt Jr., 54, of Galloway Township, who was an inspector with the Atlantic City Department of Licenses and Inspections, Mercantile Department, from 2002 until February 2012, was indicted by a state grand jury on three counts of bribery, one count of official misconduct and one count of conspiracy, all second-degree charges. The Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau obtained the indictment as a result of an investigation by the New Jersey State Police.

Each of the charges contained in the indictment carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison, including a mandatory five-year period of parole ineligibility, and a fine of up to $150,000.

It is alleged that on April 1, 2010, Holt accepted an $800 cash bribe from a taxi operator, and in return, Holt appeared in municipal court that same day to request that the court dismiss two tickets that had been issued to the taxi operator by another inspector for violations involving the condition of his vehicle. The tickets were dismissed. On May 11, 2010, Holt allegedly accepted a $250 payment from the same taxi operator for allowing his cab to pass its annual city vehicle inspection. It is further alleged that Holt accepted cash bribes and sexual favors from owners and operators of several “stress therapy” and massage businesses on Atlantic and Pacific Avenues in return for refraining from enforcing ordinances and regulations governing the operation of those businesses.

“City inspectors perform a vital function by enforcing ordinances and regulations intended to protect the public from unscrupulous and unsafe business operators,” said Acting Attorney General Hoffman. “When inspectors like Holt start taking bribes to ignore violations, public health and safety are put at risk. We will aggressively prosecute this type of corruption.”

“Holt allegedly used his official authority over certain licensed businesses in Atlantic City as a personal license to enrich himself through bribes,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We have zero tolerance for such conduct, which undermines public faith in government. Holt now faces serious criminal charges.”

The case was presented to the state grand jury by Deputy Attorney General Peter W. Lee of the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. The investigation was conducted for the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau by Detective Matthew Peeke, Detective Sgt. 1st Class David Caracciolo, Detective Anthony Carugno, retired Detective John Redkoles and retired Detective Karl Ulbrich.

The investigation began with a referral from the Atlantic City Department of Licenses and Inspections, which allegedly received a complaint that Holt had been soliciting bribes.

The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Atlantic County, where Holt will be ordered to appear in court for arraignment at a later date.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Acting Attorney General Hoffman and Director Honig noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free Corruption Tipline 1-866-TIPS-4CJ for the public to confidentially report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities. The public also can log on to the Division’s web page at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing confidentially.

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