BAYONNE—Hudson County administrators are coming under fire for hiring a convicted former associate of the Genovese Crime Family for the County Parks Commission. Russell Fallacara, 58, of Bayonne, who was prosecuted by future Governor Chris Christie when the latter was U.S. Attorney, was hired by Hudson County during Christie's governorship. He was then promoted to parks director where he allegedly participated in a $1.5 million bribery scheme that operated entirely under the administration of County Executive Thomas DeGise.

Fallacara was arrested in August 2005 as part of an FBI sting operation targeting organized crime. Then-U.S. Attorney Christie charged Fallacara, then an inspector with the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, with sports bookmaking, selling stolen football tickets, and unlawful debt collection as an associate of the Genovese Crime Family. Fallacara pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and received a 27-month prison sentence from Judge William J. Martini in August 2006.

Part of Broader Corruption?

Christie served as U.S. Attorney from January 2002 through December 2008, then became Governor on January 19, 2010. Hudson County hired Fallacara as a parks employee in mid-2010, during Christie's first year as Governor. Thomas DeGise served as Hudson County Executive from 2002 through 2023, meaning Fallacara's arrest, trial, hiring and entire tenure at the parks department occurred under DeGise's administration.

Fallacara served as deputy parks director beginning in January 2022, then became director, serving until his resignation in January 2024—still under DeGise. The bribery scheme operated from 2019 through 2024, meaning it began under the directorship of Fallacara’s predecessor Thomas DeLeo, and continued through Fallacara's tenure. All while DeGise was County Executive.

William A. Murray, 56, owner of a Jersey City paving and concrete company, allegedly paid approximately $1.5 million in bribes to DeLeo and Fallacara in exchange for over $5 million in parks contracts. The complaint claims that DeLeo received $550,000 in cash contained in envelopes and a duffel bag containing $60,000 to $90,000, plus free home renovations. Fallacara received more than $400,000 in cash, a $300,000 check cashed the same day in January 2023, and free renovations to his pool, basement, and yard. 

Fallacara and Murray allegedly created Consulting Group-1 in January 2022 to launder payments, issuing two $30,000 checks in 2022. Federal investigators recovered text messages showing Fallacara coordinating with Murray about payments disguised as "renovation" work.

Full Legal Proceedings Pending

DeLeo pleaded guilty on March 5, 2026, to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and money laundering. Murray pleaded guilty on March 17, to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Fallacara was charged by criminal complaint and appeared in federal court March 20, 2026, when he was released on bond. No sentencing dates have been set for DeLeo or Murray.

Craig Guy, who was DeGise's chief of staff before becoming County Executive on January 1, 2024, stated the corruption "occurred before I took office" and said he was "disgusted by the actions." Guy was endorsed by DeGise in the 2024 election. Guy appointed Jonathan DeFilippo, a former deputy director, as the new parks director.

The FBI Newark Field Office and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Special Attorney Jordan Fox and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Specht, Francesca Liquori, and Jason Goldberg are prosecuting.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Justice, District of New Jersey. "Former Hudson County Parks Department Director and Vendor Admit Participating in Bribe and Kickback Scheme" (March 21, 2026)

• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. United States v. Thomas A. DeLeo, Case No. 2:25-cr-00171. Plea Agreement (March 5, 2026)

• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. United States v. William A. Murray, Case No. 2:25-cr-00172. Plea Agreement (March 17, 2026)

• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. United States v. Russell Fallacara, Criminal No. 02-563 (WJM). Indictment (August 2002)

• Hudson County View. "Former Hudson County Parks Director Charged in $1.5M Bribery Scheme Had Prior Organized Crime Conviction" (March 21, 2026) 

• Gothamist. "Hudson County Parks Officials Took $1.5M in Bribes for Contracts" (March 21, 2026)

• NJ 101.5 FM. "Hudson County Executive on Parks Corruption: 'Disgusted by the Actions'" (March 24, 2026)

• Insider NJ. "Craig Guy Elected as Hudson County Executive" (November 7, 2023)

• Hudson County View. "Craig Guy: From Chief of Staff to County Executive" (2024)

• NJ.com. "No Sentencing Dates Set for Hudson County Parks Bribery Defendants" (March 24, 2026)