By Anthony J. Machcinski/The Jersey Journal

A high-ranking North Bergen Housing Authority official pleaded guilty to extortion charges yesterday in Newark federal court.

John T. Kennell, 49, of North Bergen, was arrested in August and charged with extortion under color of official right and by fear of economic harm.

Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to those charges before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares and faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced on March 25.

Kennell was paid $79,600 a year to supervise the repair and maintenance of the roughly 1,000 apartments the housing authority manages.

According to court documents in the case, Kennell, who supervised the employees of a grounds maintenance company employed by the Housing Authority, accepted cash to secure unauthorized paid vacation days for workers.

Kennell falsely reported to the company that the employees were working at the North Bergen Housing Authority. Kennel was paid from $100 to $400 by the employees to secure the vacation.

In total, the company compensated employees for about 80 days of unauthorized vacation worth well over $12,000. As a result of his actions, Kennell pocketed between $2,000 and $2,500, court records say.

Kennell admitted he threatened to get workers fired if they didn’t pay him off.

North Bergen Housing Authority spokesman Paul Swibinski said yesterday that Kennell was suspended without pay after his arrest and would be terminated today.

The Rutherford-based maintenance company continues to work for the township’s housing authority, he said.