'Prurient' accusations leak in James case (taxpayers bought mayor's hotel room porn, body lotion)

Prosecutors say ex-mayor charged city for X-rated movies and more during hotel stay

Sharpe James billed the city for pornographic movies and body lotions at a Miami hotel, according to documents filed in federal court. James was indicted on corruption charges in July after 20 years as mayor. The government also alleges that James:

--Chose which developers could buy property in Newark and rewarded those who gave him tickets to sporting events.....a developer was allowed in on a Newark land deal only if the person steered property outside the city to one of the mayor's sons.

--Used City Hall for a "yacht club" where powerful people were escorted in for meetings and parties by city police officers who used police vehicles while mayoral secretaries acted as "servers."

--Gave a no-show job to a 32-year-old man who subsequently was arrested on drug charges.

One of James' attorneys said the new allegations served only to appeal to the "prurient sense of the masses."

BACKSTORY James' defense team is bracing for testimony about marital infidelity becoming part of his high-profile corruption case, according to court papers. James is married; his wife has a $100,000 tax-paid position on a government board---plus perks. James' women were identified earlier by the Newark Star-Ledger as:

* Anthonyette Hunter, an attractive 38-year-old whom James placed on the city Planning Board and who allegedly jetted to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Daytona Beach, Fla., with hizzoner.

* Jacqueline Shanks, a 44-year-old who was fired as his aide after partying with the pol in Martha's Vineyard and Miami.

* Veronic Awkard, a Maryland lawyer who allegedly flew down to enjoy a fiesta with James in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

* Diana Jarrell, 29, whom James was so taken with after just glancing at her in a hallway that he got her a job on the city Alcohol Board.

* Sedequa Scott, a 30-year-old Newark woman who worked on one of his campaigns.

* Two other women - one lives in Trenton; works for a phone company,

* One works for the Essex County government - have not been identified publicly.

James was indicted on charges that he billed the city for lavish vacations and personal expenses and steered lucrative city land deals to Tamika Riley, a Jersey City woman hw met in a dress shop, who prosecutors have said had a "close personal relationship" with the former mayor. Riley was one of eight women the indictment described as "companions" to the mayor during his personal vacations.

BEFORE Tamika Riley upon her arrest.

AFTER Tamika Riley after she got a defense lawyer (note the demure pearls).

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