By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark code enforcement officer has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly soliciting bribes from a local business in exchange for withholding fines and allowing the store to reopen, authorities announced.
According to a statement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), Ms. Sonia Rogers, 50, of Newark, was taken into custody on Friday, February 28, by OPIA detectives, with assistance from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. 
Rogers now faces several second-degree charges, including official misconduct, bribery, theft by extortion, and soliciting or accepting a benefit to influence the performance of an official duty.
If convicted, she could face a prison sentence of five to ten years and a fine of up to $150,000.
Allegations of Corruption
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the OPIA Corruption Bureau. Authorities allege that while working in her official capacity, Rogers ordered a retail store on Broad Street in Newark to close, threatened to impose fines, and then requested bribes in the form of cash and store merchandise in exchange for reopening the business.
The investigation found that in September 2024, Rogers entered the store in uniform, conducted an inspection, and then shut the business down, allegedly citing an expired municipal business license.
However, instead of following proper enforcement procedures, she reportedly told store management that if they wanted to reopen without penalties, they would need to pay her $800 in cash.
When the business did not comply, Rogers allegedly settled for taking store merchandise without paying.
Authorities also claim that she offered to facilitate a fire inspection in exchange for additional compensation from the store.
According to the investigation, Rogers repeatedly returned to the business over the next two months, allegedly seeking further bribes—including an unsuccessful attempt to take a television.
Officials Condemn Corruption
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the severity of the allegations, stating, **“My office will not take it lightly when public employees allegedly abuse the power of their positions for personal gain.
The public must be able to trust that those who serve them will not look the other way in exchange for bribes.”
Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, also condemned the alleged misconduct, saying, The defendant’s trying to line her own pockets, instead of ensuring public health and safety, as alleged here, damages the public’s trust in government and could put lives at risk. 
This case shows that corruption is not a victimless crime, and the dedicated, experienced prosecutors and investigators in my office will not back down in fighting it.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information related to the case to come forward.