By: Richard L. Smith

A Newark code enforcement officer has been indicted by a state grand jury after she allegedly attempted to solicit cash and merchandise from a local business in exchange for avoiding fines and allowing the store to reopen, according to Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).

Authorities announced that Sonia Rogers, 50, of Newark , faces multiple second-degree charges stemming from the September 2024 incident, including official misconduct, bribery in official and political matters, theft by extortion, and acceptance of an unlawful benefit.

Each charge carries a potential penalty of five to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $150,000.

Investigators said Rogers, while in uniform, inspected a Broad

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