Hillside cop charged in bribery scheme

New Jersey News - August 15, 2007

A Hillside police officer was charged today with passing bribes to a state official so he and his girlfriend could steal funds from a program intended to help needy Union County families in danger of becoming homeless. Hillside Officer Vitor "Victor" Pedreiras, 30, is also accused of coaching his girlfriend on how to lie to state investigators once they uncovered the scheme to bilk $14,963 from the housing program offered by the state Department of Community Affairs, authorities said. Pedreiras, who was assigned to the police department's community safety bureau, became a police officer after graduating in Dec. 2003 from the John H. Stamler Police Academy. He was suspended after a state grand jury indictment was handed up late Tuesday. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of conspiracy, bribery and official misconduct, according to the indictment. He was also indicted on charges of theft, falsifying records, witness tampering and hindering prosecution.