Brick Man Indicted on 58 Counts in Immigrant Shakedown Case

A former Elizabeth police officer from Brick has been indicted on 58 counts stemming from an investigation that he shook down illegal immigrants for cash in exchange for not turning them in to authorities.

Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow announced the indictment of Rocco Malgieri, 43, of Zachary Court, on Monday. The 19-year veteran of the city's police department to authorities March 17 and was charged with theft by extortion; attempted extortion; pattern of official misconduct; official misconduct; bribery; and receipt of unlawful benefit by a public servant. He is now suspended without pay as the case is pending, Romankow said.

According to an investigation, beginning in February 2011 Malgieri would make unwarranted motor vehicle stops of Hispanic men, question them about their residency status and threaten to report them to immigration officials unless they gave him money, said Romankow. The stops occurred while he was on duty.

Currently there are twelve victims who have reported that Malgieri solicited payments from them. The payments ranged from $30 to $250, according to the investigation, Romankow said.

Malgieri remains free on a $20,000 property bond.