Speculating or Wagering on Official Action or Information

Speculating or Wagering on Official Action or Information (N.J.S.A. 2C:30-3) is one of New Jersey’s anti-public corruption laws, and makes it a crime for public officials or employees with associations to government to try to profit from information they are privy to that hasn’t been made public yet.

This could include buying a piece of property which will soon be rezoned and therefore become more valuable, or investing in a company that’s about to win a lucrative contract with a municipality or the state.

Helping others to gain these types of benefits is also prohibited under the statute.

In most cases, 2C:30-3 is charged as a crime of the second degree, and carries a penalty of five to ten years if convicted, as well as fines of up to $150,000.

When the value of the benefit sought or acquired is less than $200, you’ll be charged with a crime of the third degree, and face a maximum penalty of three to five years and $15,000.

Speculating or Wagering on Official Action or Information is a serious allegation that can affect you personally and professionally for the rest of your life.

If you’ve been charged under the statute, call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.

Fighting public corruption is an ongoing battle in democracies everywhere, and punishing those who use the public interest for private gain is an important tool in the arsenal of good governments.

In New Jersey, our laws prohibit public officials and those who work for any governmental unit from cashing in on information they have gleaned from their jobs, but which has not been made public.

Under 2C:30-3, Speculating or Wagering on Official Action or Information, it is a crime to purchase or invest in property or enterprises which may be affected by such official acts, or to help others do so.

N.J.S.A. 2C:30-3 is a crime of the second degree, so conviction can result in a sentence of five to ten years and fines of up to $150,000.

Keep in mind that this statute doesn’t just apply to elected officials, but to those with any current or past association with a governmental unit.

It’s a serious charge that has to be met with a serious legal defense.

Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.