Newark ex-mayor Sharpe James is convicted of fraud

The Star Ledger ^ | 4/16/2008 | Jeff Whelan and John P. Martin

[hkusp40]

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.

[hkusp40]

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

[Enchante]

Can we say the Demagogues have a CULTURE OF CORRUPTION?

[alice_in_bubbaland]

I thought he’s walk, considering that the residents of Newark think he walks on water.

[denydenydeny]

You have to read up to paragraph 12 for a party affiliation, of course.

[jpl]

In Newark you probably can walk on the water, considering all the disgusting stuff floating around in there.

[jmc813]

Outstanding news! I recommend the documentary “Street Fight” very highly. Until you see this, you have no idea what an absolute scumbag James is.

[domenad]

Did I miss it or is there only the most tangential mention that he’s a democrat? I dont’ think it ever even says he is, only that he ‘wielded power over democratic lawmakers’. I had to go to wikipedia to confirm it (hey, I don’t know much about Jersey, sue me.)

[river rat]

Enchante.....You RACIST!

You are not entitled to cast aspersions on an obviously racial proclivity to steal, whore around or wrongly come into possession of public funds or property...

Surely — RECENTLY revealed FACTS of wholesale corruption, theft, crime and adultery committed by DOZENS of black DEMOCRAT politicians, provides ample evidence that this activity may be RACIALLY imprinted in their DNA —— thus making it a CULTURAL THING which whitey simply can’t understand..

Therefore - to criticize this behavior is clearly RACIST.
Right?

< /sarcasm>

[hkusp40]

Good call.

[Williams]

I was there as a child when Newark was handed from the white crooks to the black crooks. That basically sums it up. The current mayor is a reformer, so hope springs eternal.

[chimera]

But, chill out, everyone, these are ‘Rats we're talking about. This kind of stuff is a resume enhancer for ‘Rats. Next time Sharpe runs for anything, he'll win in a landslide, at least if it's in the Jerz.

[mort56]

Corruption in New Jersey? Who knew??

[Froufrou]

WTF? What kind of name is Tamika?

[SwinneySwitch]

"What kind of name is Tamika?" TAMIKA Gender: Feminine Usage: English Pronounced: ta-MEE-ka [key] Variant of TAMIKO, inspired by the American jazz singer Tamiko Jones (born 1945) or the American movie 'A Girl Named Tamiko' (1963). TAMIKO Gender: Feminine Usage: Japanese Other Scripts: 多美子 (Japanese) From Japanese 多 (ta) "many", 美 (mi) "beautiful" and 子 (ko) "child".

[romanesq]

I’ve seen it. You are right. It’s a great and riveting story of inside Newark.

[Froufrou]

Thank you. Very much.

[Rockitz]

Prosecutors charged that the 72-year-old James, who was also a Democratic state senator from 1999 to January 2008, abused his office as mayor and betrayed his constituents by arranging for the sale of nine city-owned properties for $46,000 to Riley from 2001 to 2005. Riley quickly sold them for $665,000 without ever starting required rehabilitation work on most of them, prosecutors said.

I'm quite certain this practice is widespread in the cities of this country. Who did this guy PO?

[eleni121]

I was there as a child when Newark was handed from the white crooks to the black crooks

---

Well said!

Sounds like a lot of US cities...especially throughout the Northeast but not exclusively so

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"WTF? What kind of name is Tamika?"

Not uncommon for areas like Newark...

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"WTF? What kind of name is Tamika?"

Not uncommon for areas like Newark...

[pandoraou812]

Or Asbury Park, & Camden etc...

[jaz.357]

Freekin' Jersey!

Fuggedaboudit!

[Eric Blair 2084]

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?

[Eric Blair 2084]

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?

[Eric Blair 2084]

[BillyBoy]

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.