Roslyn man admits to taking more than $1 million in bribes

Amelia Camurati

A Roslyn man pleaded guilty last week to demanding bribes in exchange for securing contracts between a Texas financial services company and two New Jersey staffing companies.

Mark Berger, 58, of Roslyn pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in federal court in Trenton, N.J., on July 5 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Federal Travel Act, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a statement.

Berger served as chief information officer of SWBC, a financial services company in Texas, from January 2011 through March 2013, giving him the ability to hire certain companies to perform work.

During that time, Berger entered into contracts between SWBC and two New Jersey companies, including DaVinci Technology Corp.

According to Carpenito, as a condition, Berger demanded the owner of the companies, 53-year-old Anthony Curlo of Chester, N.J., pay him a certain percentage of the monies the companies would receive from SWBC.

The New Jersey-based IT companies received approximately $3 million in revenue from SWBC. Under the terms of the illegal kickback arrangement between Berger and Curlo, Carpenito said Berger was meant to receive $1.14 million in payments.

Berger actually received $985,000 in cash payments delivered to his Roslyn home.

If convicted, Berger faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain from the offense.

Carpenito said Berger also forfeited $985,000 as part of his plea.

Curlo previously pleaded guilty to his role on Sept. 21, 2016, and awaits sentencing.

Reach reporter Amelia Camurati by email at acamurati@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516-307-1045, ext. 215, or follow her on Twitter @acamurati.

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