NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A woman who worked for a county agency that assigns home health care aides to people with disabilities has pleaded guilty to a bribes-for-referrals scheme.
Myrtha Nicolas pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of extortion under color of official right.
The 61-year-old Jersey City resident worked at the Hudson County Office on Aging as a referral coordinator. The office is part of the state Division of Disability Services, which works to promote independent living for people with disabilities.
Nicolas admitted to accepting cash from an executive of a company that trains health care workers, in exchange for referring patients to the company.
The U.S. attorney’s office says Nicolas accepted $600 on two occasions and $1,000 on a third occasion.
Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15.
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