Criminal Justice
Newark’s Ex-Mayor Convicted of Fraud in Land Deal
Posted Apr 16, 2008, 10:21 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Former Newark, N.J., Mayor Sharpe James has been convicted of fraud and conspiracy in connection with the sale of nine city lots to his mistress at bargain prices, the New York Times reports.
The girlfriend, Tamika Riley, was also convicted of fraud and conspiracy. She was accused of reselling the lots for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports.
Witnesses had testified that James rigged the process for sale of the lots to help his girlfriend. Defense lawyers claimed Riley was treated no differently than other developers at a time when the city was seeking to spur development.
Sentencing is set for July 29. James and Riley both face up to about eight years in prison, the Times reports.
James served five terms as mayor and two as a state legislator. He could still face a separate trial on charges that he billed the city for $58,000 in personal expenses.
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