Luxury Vacations Fueled by Fraud: Former NJ Transit Manager Pleads Guilty in $1.3M Cellphone Scheme
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON, NJ – A high-ranking NJ Transit official who traded public trust for a “jet-set” lifestyle of overseas vacations and luxury travel has officially pleaded guilty to a massive, years-long theft ring.
Peejay Manila, 37, the former Chief of Digital Workspace for NJ Transit, admitted in court on March 24, 2026, that he orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to steal nearly 1,100 agency-funded cellphones, reselling them for nearly a million dollars in personal profit.
The Heist: How $1.3 Million in Public Funds Vanished
Manila’s position gave him direct access to NJ Transit’s wireless provider accounts. Between 2020 and 2024, he used this authority to order high-end smartphones intended for agency staff. Instead of distributing them to employees, Manila took extra steps to “clean” the devices for resale:
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System Manipulation: Manila admitted to asking another employee to remove content-restricting software from the work phones.
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The Resale: He sold the stolen devices to five different “buyback” companies.
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The Profit: While the phones cost taxpayers roughly $1.3 million, Manila pocketed over $900,000 in cash payments.
Dubai, Japan, and “Bubble-Wrapped” Evidence
What did a public servant do with nearly a million dollars in illicit cash? According to the Attorney General’s office, Manila used the proceeds to fund a “lavish lifestyle” that included frequent trips to Dubai, Japan, and other international destinations.
The scheme came crashing down in May 2025 when law enforcement raided Manila’s Little Ferry residence and office. Investigators found 20 cellphones—including 11 new-in-box devices—and a package wrapped in bubble wrap, addressed and ready to be shipped to a buyback company.
The Legal Fallout: Prison and Restitution
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Manila faces severe consequences for his betrayal of the public trust:
| Penalty | Detail |
| Prison Time | State recommends a 5-year term. |
| Restitution | Manila must pay $1,383,000 back to NJ Transit. |
| Back Taxes | Must pay $56,000 in unpaid taxes on criminal proceeds. |
| Banned for Life | Forever disqualified from holding any public office in New Jersey. |
“He exploited his position of public trust for his own ends and hurt New Jersey taxpayers in the process,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “Our office will continue to protect the public fisc.”
What Happens Next?
Manila’s sentencing is officially scheduled for June 5, 2026, before Judge James X. Sattely. This case serves as a stark warning from the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) that public corruption in New Jersey will be rooted out, no matter how high-ranking the official.
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Tags: #NewJerseyNews #NJTransit #PublicCorruption #TrueCrime #TechTheft #TaxEvasion #TrentonNJ #GovernmentFraud
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