A well-connected Middlesex County political figure has resigned from several positions as he faces bribery charges stemming from a wider investigation in Sayreville.

Detectives caught 72-year-old Thomas Pollando taking several thousands of dollars in cash, saying he would try “to use his political clout to influence an ongoing criminal case,” Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced on Thursday.

The alleged bribery happened as the prosecutor’s office was monitoring a Sayreville business during July and August, Cioccone said, without naming which business.

New Jersey Globe has reported that it was Club XXXV, the home base of an alleged family-run prostitution ring — which investigators have said generated millions of dollars in illegal proceeds.

Pollando stepped down Friday as chairman of the Sayreville Democratic Party, vice chairman of the Middlesex County Planning Board, a member of the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Authority and from his paid position with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, according to MyCentralJersey.com, which cited his attorney, Robert Honecker.

Before the report of his resignation, colleagues had urged Pollando to step aside.

"We are deeply troubled by the allegations against Planning Board Member Thomas Pollando,” Middlesex County Board of Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios said in a written statement, adding "Actions like those alleged are fully unbecoming of anyone in public service."

Pollando, of the Parlin section of Sayreville, also is a former Sayreville Borough council president and was a long-time president of the Sayreville Athletic Association.

He was arrested after leaving the business and was found in possession of the cash, according to Ciccone.

Detectives witnessed the exchange via audio/video surveillance as Pollando said he would use his position to try and influence a Superior Court Judge, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Pollando was charged with second-degree bribery in official matters and second-degree receipt of unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior. He was released the day of the arrest.

Club 35 in Sayreville (Google Maps) prostitution arrests family Acciardi
Club 35 in Sayreville (Google Maps)
loading...

Club 35 investigation

In June, a married couple from Freehold and three of their adult children were charged in connection with the alleged long-time prostitution operation out of a ‘nude’ bar in Sayreville, according to prosecutors.

Authorities previously said 58-year-old Anthony Acciardi Sr., 55-year-old Doreen Acciardi and 29-year-old Anthony Acciardi Jr, were each charged with first-degree money laundering, second-degree promoting organized street crime, third-degree promoting prostitution and other criminal offenses.

Angela Mancini, 32, of Colts Neck, was charged with first-degree money laundering and second-degree conspiracy. Mancini is the daughter of Doreen and Anthony Acciardi Sr., the prosecutor's office previously confirmed.

Another of the Acciardis’ grown children, 24-year-old Stephen T. Acciardi, was arrested and charged with similar offenses at the same time in June, though not mentioned publicly in a release by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

He lives at the same Freehold address as his parents, according to an affidavit of probable cause secured by New Jersey 101.5.

According to the same document, the Acciardi family has generated "significant income" from illegal business dealings based at the club in Sayreville, while also failing to report most of it on state tax returns.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Here's where NJ legal weed is sold

The number of recreational cannabis dispensaries continues to grow, with close to two dozen state approvals given since the first adult recreational sales in the state back in April. Here is where the open sites are located.

Netflix’s Most Popular English-Language TV Shows Ever

These are the most popular TV shows ever on Netflix (in English), based on hours viewed in their first 28 days on streaming.

New Jersey's new legislative districts for the 2020s

Boundaries for the 40 legislative districts for the Senate and Assembly elections of 2023 through 2029, and perhaps 2031, were approved in a bipartisan vote of the Apportionment Commission on Feb. 18, 2022. The map continues to favor Democrats, though Republicans say it gives them a chance to win the majority.

NJ Diners that are open 24/7

New Jersey's smallest towns by population

New Jersey's least populated municipalities, according to the 2020 Census. This list excludes Pine Valley, which would have been the third-smallest with 21 residents but voted to merge into Pine Hill at the start of 2022.

More From Beach Radio