One of the key figures in a major New Jersey corruption case, involving members of the Syrian Jewish community, has appeared in court.

Solomon Dwek, 36, is expected to plead guilty to a total $50 million fraud.

The son of a Monmouth County rabbi, Mr Dwek, who was arrested in 2006, agreed to act as a co-operating witness to trap crooked politicians engaged in fraud, bribery and money laundering.

Forty-five people were arrested during the swoop in New Jersey in the summer of 2009, including several rabbis. Six people have pleaded guilty.

Mr Dwek’s co-operation with the police was seen as a betrayal by the close-knit Syrian-Jewish community in New Jersey, who have criticised his part in the arrest of three of the community’s rabbis.