Bribery case; Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas pleads guilty

Former Jersey City Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas has pleaded guilty in a bribery case. According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s office, Thomas admitted to accepting $35,000 in bribes from a tax attorney’s firm during his 2019 school board and city council campaigns. In return, he promised to award city contracts to the firm.

Under the plea deal, prosecutors will recommend a five-year prison sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for October 17. Thomas also agreed to pay a $10,000 fine, $30,000 in restitution, and permanently withdraw from all public positions.

In 2023, Thomas had already pleaded guilty in a fraud case linked to the Jersey City Employment and Training Program. Several other New Jersey politicians have also been charged in connection with this bribery scheme.