Politics & Government
Coutinho Pleads Guilty, Replacement Selected Following His Resignation
Newark Schools Advisory Board member to take Coutinho's Assembly seat
Assemblyman Albert Couthino pleaded guilty Thursday to falsifying records and theft, a day after he formally resigned his seat in the Legislature, NJ.com reported.
Coutinho’s plea will likely result in probation without jail time. If convicted, Coutinho could have faced six years in prison. He must pay $32,500 in restitution and promised never to hold a public job again.
He will be sentenced in October.
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In court Thursday, Couthino admitted he diverted donations made to his family’s charitable foundation between 2008 and 2012 for his personal use. The foundation provided funds for the popular Portugal Day parade in the Ironbound.
Essex County Democratic Party officials met in Newark Wednesday night to select Coutinho’s replacement, Eliana Pintor Marin, a Newark Schools Advisory Board member, who will serve out the remaining weeks of Coutinho’s term and will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election.
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She represents a legislative district that includes the Ironbound and other parts of Newark as well as Belleville.
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