Ex-mayor of Newark pleads innocent to fraud charges
NEWARK, New Jersey (Reuters) - The former mayor of New Jersey's largest city and a companion pleaded not guilty on Monday to a host of federal charges including suspicion of taking lavish vacations with city money.
Sharpe James, 71, mayor of Newark from 1986 until he retired last year, was indicted on 33 federal counts, accused of using city credit cards for himself, eight women and others during personal trips to places such as Rio de Janeiro, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
James, now a Democratic state senator, also is accused of facilitating the cut-rate sale of city land to his frequent companion, Tamika Riley, who was charged with fraud along with James and pleaded not guilty.
"God is good all the time," James told reporters repeatedly as he left the courthouse, declining to comment on the case. He and Riley had been out on bail.
He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, including telling The Star-Ledger newspaper of Newark the charges were politically motivated and that he had taken the trips on official business.
When James was indicted earlier this month, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Christopher Christie said James chose "self-enrichment" over helping people in Newark, one of the nation's poorest cities.
The prosecutor has made public corruption a priority with the indictment of James and fellow Democratic State Senator Wayne Bryant, as well as the conviction or guilty pleas of more than 100 other public officials.
James, who served five terms as mayor, tallied up $58,000 in credit card charges for luxury hotels, meals, air fare, sporting events and a $9,000 penthouse suite on a cruise scheduled to sail six weeks after he left office, prosecutors said.
Charges filed against him include mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, some of which carry maximum prison sentences of 20 years in prison.
A tentative trial date was set for February 4.
Eight miles from New York City, Newark has high crime and unemployment. More than a third of its residents live in poverty, and the city faces a projected budget deficit of $180 million next year.
