Linden official arrested on bribery charges
A Linden city building inspector was arrested today on charges he accepted $10,500 in bribes from a building contractor in exchange for favorable inspections and fast-tracked permits, authorities said. Matthew Valvano, 49, of Linden, took the cash in his city hall office and at the contractor's construction site during four meetings secretly recorded by the FBI, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal district court in Newark. "You wash my hands, I"ll wash yours," Valvano told the contractor during one encounter, according to authorities.

Linden official arrested on bribery charges

by Jeff Whelan and Brian T. Murray

Thursday August 09, 2007,

A Linden city building inspector was arrested today on charges he accepted $10,500 in bribes from a building contractor in exchange for favorable inspections and fast-tracked permits, authorities said.

Matthew Valvano, 49, of Linden, took the cash in his city hall office and at the contractor's construction site during four meetings secretly recorded by the FBI, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal district court in Newark.

"You wash my hands, I"ll wash yours," Valvano told the contractor during one encounter, according to authorities.

After the last meeting on Aug. 1, Valvano was confronted by federal agents and confessed, the complaint said.

Today, however, his lawyer denied the charges after Valvano surrendered to authorities and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Claire Cecchi.

"Mr. Valvano has an unblemished record in the criminal justice system. He intends to plead not guilty and fight the charges," said the attorney, Joseph Hayden.

Valvano's arrest came just one day after Linden officials, responding to a subpoena by the U.S. Attorney's Office, delivered documents to a a federal grand jury in Newark regarding the city's Neighborhood Preservation Program.

The building inspector did not work for the federallly funded home improvement program and authorities declined to say whether his arrest was connected to that probe.

Valvano's arrest stems from his alleged dealings with a contractor who was seeking to renovate a commercial building in the city. The contractor was secretly cooperating with the FBI.

See more in Corruption in NJ, Union County

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