Former Newark city hall employee pleads guilty to producing fraudulent birth certificates

NEWARK, N.J. — A former Newark City Hall employee pleaded guilty on Friday to producing fraudulent New Jersey birth certificates. The guilty plea follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Cory Cooke, 45, of Newark, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of producing false identification documents.

According to court documents, Cooke was previously employed by the City of Newark at its Office of Vital Statistics. Cooke was responsible for issuing official New Jersey birth certificates. From August 2013 to October 2013, Cooke produced four fraudulent New Jersey birth certificates using four different individuals’ personal identifying information, which Cooke had acquired from a conspirator. After producing the fraudulent New Jersey birth certificates, Cooke gave the documents to his conspirator, who subsequently sold them.

The count of producing false identification documents carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2015.