This is not the first person the Murphy administration has hired who has had a past run-in with the law. | AP Photo Murphy administration hires former council member who served prison time for bribery

A former Passaic City Council member who served time in prison for taking bribes has been hired by Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration as a special assistant in the Department of Education’s Office of Civic and Social Engagement, a spokesman for the agency confirmed Monday.

Marcellus Jackson was among 11 officials arrested in a 2007 corruption sweep orchestrated by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, dubbed Operation Broken Boards.


POLITICO first learned of Jackson’s job, which pays $70,000, through an invitation from the NAACP’s Passaic branch to its Oct. 27 “2nd Annual Freedom Fund Community Service Award Luncheon.” The invitation lists Jackson’s position as “special assistant to the state commissioner of education.”

Also being honored at the luncheon are Assembly members Shavonda Sumter and Benjie Wimberly (both D-Passaic), state Democratic Chairman John Currie and Passaic Deputy Mayor Minnie Hiller-Cousins.

"Mr. Jackson is remorseful for his actions, he has taken responsibility, and he has since paid his debt to society. We want to give people a second chance and help them with a successful and productive re-entry into society,” Department of Education spokesman Michael Yaple said in a statement Monday.

Yaple said Jackson’s role with the department involves working “with various stakeholders, faith-based groups and other community and civic organizations to advance public education in New Jersey.” He began work July 17.

“Last week, he helped coordinate a meeting with more than 100 religious leaders to gather their insights and discuss statewide education initiatives,” Yaple said.

The news of Jackson’s hiring comes months after the Murphy administration’s hiring practices for the Department of Education were called into question.

Paula White, who had been confirmed as an assistant commissioner by the state Department of Education, saw her job offer immediately rescinded by the Murphy administration. The Star-Ledger reported in February that New Jersey Education Association officials had called Murphy about White. Murphy, who took office in January and had the backing of the NJEA, denied the union told him to fire White, calling the accusation “ridiculous.” However, he did not directly answer a question as to whether the union advised him on the decision.

White said she doesn’t begrudge anyone a second chance.

“Criminal justice reform is an important idea and one that I fully support,” White told POLITICO. “That said, it is crystal clear that my knowledge and expertise would add value to kids in the state. I would hope that the same can be said for anyone else being vetted to join the department.”

In December 2007, Jackson, while a Passaic City Council member, pleaded guilty to taking $26,000 from a fake company set up by the FBI in exchange for the promise of helping it win insurance contracts in Passaic, a small, impoverished city in northern New Jersey. Federal prosecutors also alleged Jackson was the go-between in another corrupt arrangement between the fake company and former Democratic Assemblyman Alfred Steele (D-Passaic). Jackson resigned from the Council shortly after entering his plea.

According to the original complaint against Jackson, he promised an undercover FBI agent that his fake company would get a contract in Paterson while accepting $6,000 in a Newark parking lot. “I appreciate it, baby,” Jackson said at the time, according to the complaint. “Good things is gonna happen.”

Jackson was sentenced to 25 months in prison and fined $15,000 in June 2009 — a sentence below guidelines “based upon substantial cooperation in the investigation, which assisted in the prosecution and conviction of other individuals,” according to a press release at the time from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The press release does not say whether Jackson would be barred from future government employment.

“A legal review has been done and he was deemed eligible to serve in this position,” Yaple said.

According to the federal Bureau of Prisons’ website, Jackson, 48, was released from prison in July 2011.

This is not the first person the Murphy administration has hired who has had a past run-in with the law. In March, a former Citigroup executive once accused of defrauding thousands of investors was hired by the state Department of Transportation, where he now oversees several major divisions. But that official, Lewis E. Daidone, was never convicted of av rime and had the accusation against him dismissed by a judge.

Ryan Hutchins contributed to this report.