By: Richard L. Smith
A Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) employee has admitted to attempting to bribe a commissioner in an effort to advance his career, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced.
Omid Bayati, 43, of Hillsdale, pleaded guilty on January 13, 2025, to conspiracy to commit official misconduct, a second-degree charge, before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Christopher R. Kazlau in Hackensack.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a five-year state prison sentence.
Bayati will also forfeit his job as a PVSC operations worker, face a lifetime ban from public employment, and surrender $1,200 in cash he provided to the commissioner as part of the scheme.
“Using bribes to try to manipulate government officials is a blatant violation of public trust,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This conviction sends a clear message: corruption in New Jersey will not be tolerated.”
According to court documents, Bayati first tried to offer a $1,200 payment via a check marked as a “donation” and left at a Fair Lawn restaurant for the commissioner to retrieve.
When that effort failed, Bayati later handed the commissioner an envelope with $1,200 in cash at a local pub, asking for help to secure promotions and salary increases he was not qualified for.
The commissioner reported Bayati’s actions to his supervisors, who alerted law enforcement.
“Illegal attempts to influence public officials undermine the integrity of government,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA.
“This case reflects our commitment to prosecuting such conduct to the fullest extent of the law.”
Bayati’s sentencing is pending, and he faces significant consequences for his attempt to exploit his position at the PVSC for personal gain.