According to the 40-page indictment, the powerful Camden County Democrat effectively sold his political influence to Gallagher and the osteopathic school. In return for lobbying on behalf of the school and securing millions in extra state funds, prosecutors allege, Bryant was rewarded with a $35,000-a-year no-show job.
The indictment also accuses the senator of fraudulently boosting his public pension with the job, as well as two other positions - as lecturer at Rutgers University law school in Camden and as legal counsel for the Gloucester County Board of Social Services - for which authorities claim he also did little or no work.
"One of New Jersey's most powerful politicians is now charged with putting his personal financial greed ahead of the people of the New Jersey," said U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie at an afternoon news conference on the steps of the federal courthouse in Trenton.
In addition to conspiring with Bryant to set up the alleged fraudulent employment scheme, Gallagher, of Haddonfield, is also accused of having the osteopathic school's books doctored. By making the headache center he headed look more profitable than it was, the indictment says, Gallagher ensured himself a bonus.
The fraud and corruption charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison, but under sentencing guidelines, Bryant and Gallagher would likely serve a lot less if convicted.
Federal authorities said Bryant was on vacation in Mexico, and that Gallagher was away in Florida, so a court hearing would not be held immediately. Bryant's lawyer, Carl Poplar, said he had not yet read the indictment, and declined comment. Gallagher's lawyer, Jeremy Frey, also declined comment.
The indictment comes six months after the federal probe into Bryant burst became public.
