Feds drop charges that Sharpe James bilked Newark
After relieving Newarkers of $58,000 from the city budget—and that’s only the amount the DA actually has evidence for—we’re sure glad to see the former mayor save us the money we would have spent prosecuting him in court.
Federal prosecutors today dropped charges that had alleged former Newark Mayor Sharpe James abused city credit cards after determining that a conviction wouldn’t have added any more prison time than he’s already facing under a guilty verdict they scored against him last month.
U.S. District Judge William Martini dismissed that indictment today at the request of Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Germano. Under an agreement between James and prosecutors, the former mayor pledged not to see a postponement of his July 29 sentencing on separate corruption charges.
Update: Thurman at Blue Jersey weighs in with hilarity:
Hat tip to the Star-Ledger for explaining that Chris Christie has spared us the details of a sex trial for Sharpe James by providing us the details from which we were spared:
The dismissal spares the government the expense and effort of a second trial and spares James potential embarrassment regarding salacious details. For example, pre-trial court papers filed in the case showed prosecutors planned to introduce evidence James billed the city for pornographic movies and body lotions while staying at a Miami hotel, an allegation he vehemently denies.
I think I just threw up a little.
