A former NJ Transit supervisor pleaded guilty on March 24 to stealing over 1,000 cellphones purchased with agency funds and reselling them for personal gain, according to a statement from Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. Peejay Manila, age 37, admitted in Bergen County Superior Court that he used proceeds from the years-long scheme to fund overseas vacations and a luxurious lifestyle.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by New Jersey authorities to address public corruption and safeguard taxpayer resources. The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin holds statewide authority to enforce laws, prosecute offenses, and regulate public safety matters under its statutory mandate, according to the official website.
Manila pleaded guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking (second degree) and Failure to Pay or Turn Over Taxes (third-degree). Under his plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a five-year prison sentence. He must also pay approximately $1.38 million in restitution to NJ Transit and file amended tax returns for four years reflecting about $56,000 owed in back taxes. As part of the agreement, Manila forfeited all future public employment in state or local government.
“For years, this defendant stole from NJ Transit in order to fund his lavish lifestyle,” said Attorney General Davenport. “He exploited his position of public trust for his own ends and hurt New Jersey taxpayers in the process. Our office will continue to protect the public fisc and ensure that all public servants perform their duties with integrity.”
Eric L. Gibson, Executive Director of OPIA said: “Instead of serving the people of New Jersey, this defendant used his position for his own personal benefit. Our office will continue to work tirelessly towards rooting out this type of public corruption in New Jersey.”
According to documents filed in court, Manila began working at NJ Transit as senior director on December 2, 2019 before being promoted Chief of Digital Workspace. From November 2020 onward he ordered cellphones meant for staff use but instead sold them through buyback companies for more than $900,000 total—using some proceeds for international travel including trips to Japan and Dubai.
Law enforcement executed search warrants at Manila’s apartment and office on May 8 last year; they found around twenty phones at his residence—many new or unopened—including nine packaged ready for shipment with labels addressed toward buyback companies.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 5.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability operates under supervision from officials including Deputy Attorneys General Richard T. Bobbe III and Joseph Battistella as well as bureau leadership within OPIA Corruption Bureau.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin influences public safety through its role in enforcing laws across all counties according to its official website according to the official website. The agency provides legal representation statewide while offering oversight services such as crime lab support; it functions as a central justice-focused entity handling regulation enforcement consumer protection initiatives throughout New Jersey according to the official website.
