Newark ex-mayor Sharpe James is convicted of fraud

A federal jury today convicted former Newark Mayor Sharpe James of fraud for conspiring to rig the sale of nine city lots to his mistress, who quickly resold them for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit.

Ending a five-week trial, the jury returned its verdict in a courtroom just a block from the City Hall office that James occupied for two decades. Less than an hour into its sixth day of deliberations, the jury found James guilty on all 13 counts in the indictment.

James' co-defendant and former girlfriend, Tamika Riley, was also found guilty on all counts.

Both James and Riley face between four- and seven-year prison terms under federal sentencing guidelines, Judith Germano, the Assistant U.S. Attorney and lead prosecutor, said after the verdict. U.S. District Judge William Martini allowed both to remain free on bail until sentencing, which was set for July 29 at 10 a.m.

James could still face another trial, over allegations that he billed the city for $58,000 in personal expenses, including lavish vacations with Riley and other women. Prosecutors reserved their decision on those charges until this case was done.

James joins a long list of New Jersey politicians convicted of corruption in recent years, including former State Senate President John Lynch, county executives James Treffinger of Essex and Robert Janiszewski of Hudson and dozens of mayors, freeholders and council members.

I thought he'd walk... guess I'm buying...

We can split the first round. I was with you. Shocked that he was convicted on all counts. His attorney had his hands over his head when the verdict was read. $400/hour and your client is convicted on all counts.

There really was no evidence relating to these charges, but he should get 7 years in the slammer for paying $650k for Tamika as a girlfriend. She might be worth a White Castle dinner and a movie, but 650k? Then again, I guess it wasn't his money, just the taxpayers, so why did he care?

Newark. What a cesspool.

As Thomas Jefferson once said:

“Democracy guarantees that the people will get the government they deserve.”

I’m reminded of that scene from Naked Gun, after Lt. Frank Drebin accidentally lets all of the animals out of the city zoo while trying to apprehend a suspect.

Mayor: Thanks to you, the entire city has been overrun by baboons!

Drebin: Uuuuhhh, isn’t that the fault of the voters?

How the article would have read if the felon had been a Republican:

A federal jury today convicted retired Republican Mayor Sharpe James of Newark of fraud for conspiring to rig the sale of nine city lots to his mistress, who quickly resold them for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits for the rich and powerful elite.

Ending a five-week trial, the jury returned its verdict in a courtroom just a block from the City Hall office that the powerhouse Republican leader occupied for two decades. Less than an hour into its sixth day of deliberations, the jury found the once-revered conservative icon guilty on all 13 counts in the indictment.

James' co-defendant and former girlfriend, Tamika Riley, was also found guilty on all counts.

Both James and Riley face between four- and seven-year prison terms under federal sentencing guidelines passed during the Clinton adminstration.

Judith Germano, the Assistant U.S. Attorney and lead prosecutor, said after the verdict. U.S. District Judge William Martini allowed both to remain free on bail until sentencing, which was set for July 29 at 10 a.m.

James could still face another trial, over allegations that he billed the city for $58,000 in personal expenses, including lavish vacations with Riley and other prominent GOP women. Prosecutors reserved their decision on those charges until this case was done.

James joins a long list of high ranking New Jersey Republicans convicted of corruption in recent years, including former State Senate President John Lynch (R), county executives James Treffinger (R-Essex) and Robert Janiszewski (R-Hudson), as well as dozens of mayors, freeholders and council members.

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