Ex-NJ Staffer Admits Birth Certificate Scheme
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former Newark city employee has admitted producing fraudulent New Jersey birth certificates that were later sold by a co-conspirator.
Cory Cooke, of Newark, faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to a single count of producing false identification documents.
Prosecutors say the 45-year-old Cooke worked in Newark's Office of Vital Statistics and was responsible for issuing official state birth certificates.
During a three-month period last year, Cooke produced four fraudulent birth certificates using four different individuals' personal information, which he had acquired from a conspirator. After producing the fake certificates, Cooke gave the documents to his conspirator, who subsequently sold them.
Cooke is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 23.
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