Sentencing set for Zambranos in the fall BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer Former members of the Long Branch and West Long Branch governing bodies are scheduled to be sentenced in the fall after pleading guilty to accepting bribes while in office. Former West Long Branch Mayor Paul Zambrano is scheduled to appear before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on Oct. 23 at 11 a.m. His brother, a former councilman of neighboring Long Branch, John Zambrano, is scheduled to appear in court the following day at 11:30 a.m. Both men will be appearing before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martini in the Newark courthouse. The United States Attorney's Office announced the sentencing dates July 19 for eight local and county officials indicted on corruption charges through Operation Bid Rig and related federal investigations, including the Zambrano brothers. Paul Zambrano, 49, pleaded guilty to extortion in August 2005, for accepting a total of $15,000 in bribes. The offense carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. John Zambrano, 44, entered a guilty plea in July 2006, for accepting a $1,000 bribe from a cooperating witness through an intermediary. John Zambrano entered a guilty plea to one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right for accepting and agreeing to a cash bribe in exchange for agreeing to exercise official action and influence and to aid and assist in corruptly securing future city demolition and site work contracts. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, at the time of his guilty plea, John Zambrano entered a plea agreement. The U.S. Attorney's Office said John Zambrano agreed to a sentence of 18 to 24 months for the guilty plea, which carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of 20 years.