NJ School Bus ‘Manager from hell’ Hired Criminals, Sex Offender

A manager of two Paterson school bus companies who was accused of hiring unqualified drivers, operating unsafe buses, and failing to conduct mandatory drug testing and background checks on employees has entered guilty pleas in Essex County Superior Court.

Henry Rhodes, 59, of Paterson, pleaded guilty to two counts relating to A-1 Elegant Tours Inc. and two counts involving American Star Transportation.

The two bus companies provided false information to school districts about their equipment, hiring practices and staff in order to secure contracts to transport students.

A rogues gallery of drivers

Charges against A-1 Elegant were filed nearly three years ago after personnel files were seized during a search warrant and investigators discovered that the company had employed numerous drivers without valid commercial driver’s licenses.

Investigators said A-1 Elegant hired bus aides with criminal records and the company failed to maintain mandatory fingerprinting, background-check and drug-testing records.

High on narcotics while driving

Two drivers were under the influence of drugs, resulting in a crash with kids on board.

The investigation revealed more than 30 drivers had criminal convictions, including one who is a Megan’s Law registrant.

According to investigators, after owner Shelim Khalique and Rhodes were indicted by the state grand jury, A-1 Elegant’s equipment, assets and employees were transferred to Paterson-based American Star.

State prosecutors said law enforcement officials found out what was going on after an American Star bus that ran a stop sign was pulled over by police in River Edge last year and the driver was found to be unlicensed and had a pending case for patronizing a sex worker.

They kept lying and endangering kids

Investigators said American Star submitted documents to school districts certifying that the company’s drivers and aides were properly vetted and licensed even though some did not have driver’s licenses while others had criminal records.

“Mr. Rhodes has acknowledged playing a leadership role at these companies that misled and defrauded school districts and put children’s lives in danger," Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a written statement. “Now he will be held accountable for not only committing these offenses, but also continuing to engage in the same crimes even after he and his employers were charged the first time.”

Rhodes pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree conspiracy and two counts of second-degree theft by deception.

He won't work again as a driver

As part of the plea agreement, Rhodes agreed to be barred from doing business with the state or local governments for a decade.

Prosecutors will recommend Rhodes be sentenced to four years in prison.