Jersey City cops face 5 years in prison over off-duty work scam

JERSEY CITY — Three Jersey City police officers have admitted their roles in a scheme to get officers paid for off-duty work they didn't perform.

James Cardinali, Victor Sanchez and Christopher Ortega all pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit fraud.

Federal prosecutors say Cardinali's duties included serving as the "pick coordinator" for Jersey City's South District, meaning he assigned officers to various off-duty details.

On multiple occasions, he asked some vendor representatives to sign vouchers that falsely indicated an officer had completed an assignment for them. When the officers were paid for those assignments, some of the money was given to Cardinali.

Sanchez and Ortega admitted allowing false and fraudulent vouchers to be submitted and receiving money for work they didn't perform.

All three now face up to five years in prison.

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