February 28, 2025
Dolphin, Wajda, and Delucia every face a most sentence of 20 years in jail for his or her crimes and fines of as much as $250,000 per rely.
A sweeping bribery and fraud scheme involving Newark Worldwide Airport, paying homage to an episode of HBO’s critically acclaimed mob collection The Sopranos, has unraveled. Three males have pleaded responsible to wire fraud fees and trustworthy companies wire fraud. The Division of Justice-handled case highlights years of corruption wherein bribes and kickbacks formed profitable enterprise offers, robbing trustworthy firms of honest alternatives.
Key Gamers and Their Crimes
Edward Dolphin, 65, of Tomball, Texas; James Wajda, 59, of Cement Metropolis, Michigan; and Ronald Delucia, 70, of Wayne, New Jersey, every admitted their roles within the scheme. Dolphin and Wajda entered their pleas on February 19, 2025, whereas Delucia pleaded responsible on February 25, 2025. The costs have been heard in Trenton federal courtroom earlier than U.S. District Decide Quraishi.
In keeping with courtroom paperwork, Dolphin, a former operations supervisor at United Airways, working out of Newark Worldwide Airport, used his place to award contracts in trade for over $1.6 million in bribes and kickbacks from distributors. Delucia, a former CEO of a service firm working on the airport, performed a central function in bribing Dolphin and different airline staff whereas collaborating in fraudulent invoicing schemes with Wajda, a COO for one more airline contractor.
Dolphin’s Function: Buying and selling Affect for Tens of millions
Dolphin’s affect as an Airport Operations Hub Vendor Supervisor and later Supervisor of Hub Enterprise Companions gave him management over contract awards. Delucia’s firm paid Dolphin as much as $31,500 month-to-month—totaling over $1 million—to make sure favorable remedy. Dolphin additionally pocketed:
- $70,000 for influencing a busing contract,
- $278,000 for steering a snow elimination contract, and
- $262,000 for awarding an plane cleansing contract.
Dolphin’s actions secured over $1.6 million in illicit funds, underscoring how deeply corruption was embedded within the contracting course of.
Wajda’s Fraudulent Invoicing Scheme
As COO of a Des Plaines, Illinois-based firm, Wajda orchestrated a separate fraud scheme with Delucia. In 2022, Delucia’s firm falsely billed Wajda’s employer $150,000 for a “dispatcher” service that was by no means offered. Wajda ensured these invoices have been paid and personally obtained $38,600 in kickbacks via a shell firm.
Increasing the Net of Corruption
Delucia’s involvement didn’t finish there. He additionally admitted to bribing different airline staff — Alok Saksena, Anthony Rosalli, and Lovella Rogan — who helped his firm win a $19.7 million restroom renovation contract in 2021. In return, Delucia’s firm financed dwelling renovations for the trio, together with bogs, kitchens, and decks. Further bribes included electronics, jewellery, and different valuables, with payouts totaling:
- $539,000 to Saksena,
- $276,000 to Rosalli, and
- $409,000 to Rogan.
Statements from Officers
Federal authorities condemned the actions of these concerned.
“The defendants exploited their positions to counterpoint themselves whereas defrauding others,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Caroline Sadlowski. “Their actions corrupted the equity of our financial system. We’ll maintain to account those that break the regulation to line their very own pockets.”
“The schemes conceived and executed by these people are reprehensible,” added Performing FBI Particular Agent in Cost Terence G. Reilly. “These people hoped their corruption would fly underneath the radar, however they’re now being held accountable.”
Port Authority Inspector Basic John Homosexual emphasised the broader influence of the corruption, stating, “Blatant corruption like this erodes public belief and robs trustworthy companies of honest alternatives. This case demonstrates our dedication to rooting out fraud and defending the methods that hold our area shifting.”
What’s Subsequent for the Defendants
Dolphin, Wajda, and Delucia every face a most sentence of 20 years in jail for his or her crimes and fines of as much as $250,000 per rely. The sentencing dates are June 24, 2025, for Dolphin and Wajda, and July 1, 2025, for Delucia.
Acknowledgments and Investigation
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the FBI underneath Performing Particular Agent in Cost, Terence G. Reilly; the Port Authority Workplace of Inspector Basic underneath Inspector Basic John Homosexual; and the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Calle and Francesca Liquori of the Particular Prosecutions Division in Newark dealt with the prosecution.
Affect and Broader Implications
This case underscores the damaging ripple results of corruption in public contracting. The schemes enriched the defendants, undermined belief within the system, and unfairly deprived trustworthy companies. Authorities hope the end result of this case serves as a warning to others contemplating related acts.
For extra data, go to FBI Newark or the Port Authority Workplace of Inspector Basic.
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