Former NJ Union Officer Sentenced For Bribery

A federal judge has given a former New Jersey union official a six month sentence for bribery.

The Bureau of Prisons will determine whether James J. Kearney Sr., serves his time in prison or a halfway house.

The 76-year-old Belleville resident was formerly the business manager and an employee of the Jersey City-based Local 45 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers.

He was arrested in November 2011 and pleaded guilty to unlawfully receiving a prohibited labor payment.

New Jersey's U.S. Attorney says Kearney agreed to help an undercover agent purchase union certification for non-union workers.

U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares sentenced Kearney Thursday in federal court in Newark.

Linares has also ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine and $13,000 in restitution.

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