TRENTON
- Division of Criminal Justice Director
Vaughn L. McKoy announced that the Division
of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has
obtained an indictment charging two Motor
Vehicle Commission (MVC) employees and
a Union County man with conspiracy and
bribery after the Union County man allegedly
bribed the MVC employees into giving him
a fraudulent motor vehicle inspection
sticker.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
Greta Gooden-Brown, Ghmaso Nyasanu Johnson,
28, Spruce Hills Drive, Glen Gardner,
Hunterdon County; Delandras Markeith Williams,
24, Stockman Place, Irvington, Essex County;
and Gentree Vanblake, 30, George Street,
Plainfield, Union County, were charged
with conspiracy and bribery (both 3rd
degree). Johnson and Williams, both employees
of the Plainfield Motor Vehicle Commission
Inspection Station, were additionally
charged with official misconduct (third
degree). Third-degree crimes carry a penalty
of up to five years in state prison and
a fine of up to $15,000. The defendants
will be ordered to appear in Union County
Superior Court on a date yet to be determined
for arraignment and bail hearings.
The Union County indictment alleges that
on Jan. 20, 2004, Vanblake took his 2002
Volkswagen Jetta to the Plainfield Inspection
Station. After his car failed the inspection,
Vanblake allegedly approached Johnson
and asked if he (Johnson) could provide
Vanblake with a “pass” sticker
for his vehicle, offering him a $40 bribe.
Johnson subsequently convinced Williams
to assist in the scam.
On Feb. 13, 2004, Vanblake allegedly put
the failed vehicle identification report
and the $40 in Johnson’s car. After
receiving his half of the money, Williams
entered the inspection site’s computer
and changed Vanblake’s report from
an “F” to a “P,”
giving the false impression that Vanblake’s
Jetta had passed the inspection. Johnson
and Williams allegedly issued an automobile
inspection sticker to Vanblake which indicated
that the automobile passed inspection.
Both Johnson and Williams were terminated
from the Plainfield MVC as a result of
the investigation.
State Investigator Wendy Wylie, and Deputy
Attorney General Valerie A. Noto were
assigned to the investigation. DAG Noto
presented the case to the Union County
Grand Jury. The New Jersey State Police
Auto Insurance Fraud Unit assisted in
the investigation.
The indictment, handed up on June 1, is
merely an accusation. The defendants are
presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.