A former co-owner of an area hotel who has been charged in connection with an attempt to bribe a Belmar fire marshal could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said on Friday.

Gabe Baron, 71, of Galloway Township, the former co-owner of the Belmar Beach Hotel, has been charged with second-degree offer of unlawful benefit to public servant for official behavior and third-degree offer of unlawful benefit to public servant for official behavior.

The case background … 

Baron offered to make a cash donation to a Belmar fire company in order to ward off summonses and penalties issued for his property by a municipal fire marshal. The fire marshal immediately terminated the conversation and alerted Belmar police.

If convicted of the second-degree offense, Baron faces a sentence of five to ten years in a New Jersey state prison. If convicted of the third-degree offense, he faces a sentence of three to five years in prison.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office