Former North Bergen Department of Public Works Supervisors Francis Longo and Troy Bunero have begun serving their five-year prison sentences, according to the state attorney general’s office.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale ordered Longo be taken into custody yesterday afternoon to begin serving his prison term, while Bunero suffered the same fate today, state attorney general’s office spokesman Peter Aseltine told Hudson County View via email.
Troy Bunero, 50, of North Bergen, and Francis Longo, 52, of Ridgefield Park, were sentenced to five years in state prison, with no possibility of parole during that term, by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul M. DePascale in November.
Aseltine added that after posting bail, the two men remained free as they awaited the results of their conviction appeals. The AG’s office appealed that ruling and won and DePascale shot down the duos subsequent appeals in the past 24 hours (Longo yesterday, Bunero today).
The two men were convicted by a Hudson County jury on June 30, 2015 of second-degree charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct, as well as third-degree charges of theft by unlawful taking and misapplication of government property.
Additionally, Bunero was convicted of third-degree tampering with public records and fourth-degree falsifying records for submitting false timesheets.
The verdict followed a seven-week trial. Bunero and Longo forfeited their jobs as a result of the verdict and are permanently barred from public employment.
Bunero had worked for North Bergen since 1998 and earned an annual salary of approximately $69,000. Longo had worked for North Bergen since 1993 and earned an annual salary of approximately $79,000.
Both men were suspended without pay after they were indicted in September 2012.
I am sure Sacco is disgusted to hear about corruption in nb . Especially about tripple dipping shysters. Oh wait, never mind.
It’s about time the the justice system start working for the people and bring to justice every one of the public workers that in one way of the other are publicly sterling from the community and I hope that they continue to investigate and bring to justice the rest of the bunch that are involved in this disgraceful act. in the name of the Concerned Citizens of North Bergen we thanks our justice system department for the great accomplishment and more to come.
Let’s not forget that if not for the mafia style politics of Mayor Sacco, these 2 men would not be on their way to jail. Sacco is the one who belongs behind bars.
Let he without sin throw the first stone . Frank will be in my prayers i knew him since we were kids and i pray for him and his family NB is a tricky evil town that can consume anyone if they get involve with the corruption that’s been there forever.
People who work for Sacco R so stoopid…thety probably didn’t undertstand what the prosecutor meant when he demurely told them…we can’t help U unless U help ureself!
Wrong what these guys are going through and shame on the system putting them in jail when they know the ones on top are the bullies.
What these two did is not excusable. Yes the judge should set and example.
That said, They where bullied, and then they fell in love with the power.
But the punishment does not fit the crime. The sentence is way too extreme. You can be convicted of manslaughter and still be eligible for parole.
These two are political scapegoats and something should be done to hold their bosses (Rats) accountable.Not throw the book at these two underlings.
No possibility of parole is a joke!
They should be in jail for minimal time and pay large fines and be banned from working for the public.