A former New Jersey Transit supervisor pleaded guilty on March 24 to stealing over 1,000 cellphones purchased with agency funds and reselling them for personal profit, according to an announcement by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities to address public corruption and protect taxpayer resources. The defendant, Peejay Manila, admitted that he used the proceeds from his scheme—totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars—to fund a lavish lifestyle, including international vacations.
Manila, age 37, formerly of Hackensack and now residing in Little Ferry, pleaded guilty before Judge James X. Sattely in Bergen County Superior Court to Theft by Unlawful Taking (second degree) and Failure to Pay or Turn Over Taxes (third-degree). Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a five-year prison sentence. Manila is also required to pay restitution estimated at $1.38 million to NJ Transit and amend his tax returns for several years, resulting in approximately $56,000 owed in back taxes. He has forfeited all public employment rights permanently.
Attorney General Davenport said: “For years, this defendant stole from NJ Transit in order to fund his lavish lifestyle. He exploited his position of public trust for his own ends and hurt New Jersey taxpayers in the process. Our office will continue to protect the public fisc and ensure that all public servants perform their duties with integrity.” Eric L. Gibson, Executive Director of OPIA said: “Instead of serving the people of New Jersey, this defendant used his position for his own personal benefit. Our office will continue to work tirelessly towards rooting out this type of public corruption in New Jersey.”
According to court documents filed in the case beginning November 2020 through more than four years later, Manila ordered cellphones intended only for official use but instead sold them through buyback companies for over $900,000 while failing to pay state taxes on these profits. Law enforcement recovered multiple new devices during searches at Manila’s home and office on May 8 last year; many were confirmed as purchased using NJ Transit funds.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 5.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin holds statewide authority over law enforcement matters such as prosecution of offenses and regulation of public safety according to its official website. The office also provides legal representation across counties and municipalities throughout New Jersey according to its official website. Its responsibilities include crime lab support services as well as victim advocacy initiatives according to its official website.
