A Bergen County man today admitted giving a bribe to an employee of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials say Luis Santos, 37, of Teaneck, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of bribery of a public official.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Authorities say Santos paid $2,381 to a U.S. Consular Adjudicator in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to favorably handle and review non-immigrant visas, which allowed individuals from the Dominican Republic to apply for entry into the United States.
The bribery charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2018.