Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, 72, was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison on Tuesday for his role in the cut-rate sales of city land to his former mistress. What is shameful is that this man dragged his wife of 44 years and his 94 year-old mother through this drama, and for no good reason but lust and greed.
U.S. District Judge William Martini gave James 27 months and ordered him to pay a $100,000 fine, but did not require him to pay restitution to the city. Federal prosecutors were seeking up to 20 years for James, but the judge last week said such a long sentence was not warranted.
Defense lawyers sought probation for James, who led New Jersey’s largest city for 20 years. He was also a Democratic state senator. Th judge determined the city did not lose any money from the sales, but the prosecution contended the sentences should reflect that James gained companionship and that Riley cleared over $430,000.
James and Riley were convicted in April on all charges they faced.James was convicted on five counts, including conspiracy and fraud. Riley, a publicist who once ran a clothing boutique near City Hall, was convicted on those and the eight other counts she faced, including tax evasion and cheating to obtain subsidized housing assistance for herself.
James had faced a second trial on charges he racked up $58,000 on city credit cards for lavish personal expenses and for travels with several women other than his wife. But prosecutors reached a deal with him in May that they would drop those charges unless any portion of his conviction is overturned; they said additional convictions would not mean much more prison time.
James was one of the most powerful figures snared in a series of corruption cases in New Jersey brought by the U.S. attorney’s office, but one of the few to plead not guilty. He left office in 2006 after declining to seek a sixth term. He has a lot to lose because as a result of his conviction, he could be stripped of pensions that nets him six-figures. This is not the fitting end to a political career that spanned over 20 years that one would expect for this man. It is really sad, but he knew exactly what he was doing and now he has to face the music, unfortunately at 72 years old.
To add insult to injury, he has felt that he is a positive role model to young black kids. That might have been true on many levels previously, but it comes into question with his recent conviction. I am not trying to make this about race because we have had many other unscrupulous politicians get caught, but to talk about empowerment of the kids of Newark, he did them a great disservice. Just my thoughts, you be the judge……
Filed under: Newark, Sharpe James, Tamika Riley
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