A New Jersey lawyer is on the verge of being allowed to keep his law license despite pleading guilty to a federal felony during an investigation into corruption in New Jersey politics, according to records of his case and his lawyer at Duane Morris.
Jose Izquierdo, a lawyer and architect based in the absurdly named town West New York, N.J., pleaded guilty in 2008 to lying to FBI officials investigating corruption allegations in New Jersey. Izquierdo, who came to the U.S. as a child from Cuba, represented both builders and members of the zoning board in Union City, N.J., according to records of his case. The FBI interviewed Izquierdo in 2006 about alleged payments he made to zoning officials in exchange for favorable treatment of his builder clients, case records show. The FBI wanted to know one thing in particular: Did Izquierdo really pay $3,417 to a member of Union City’s zoning board so the board member’s girlfriend could buy a Pomeranian and assorted food and toys for the poofy little dog?
