According to today’s ??Star Ledger??, if the indictments against Sharpe James don’t stick, the city could receive his legal bill to defend against the charges: “Newark could get stuck with ex-mayor’s legal bill”:http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/118464691389780.xml&coll=1. Given that Christie has a pretty robust record over the past five years, I don’t see this as being much of an issue. Instead, I think it would seem to show that the U.S. attorney has a substantial case put together to risk that kind of fiduciary exposure to the city of Newark.
When former Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson was acquitted of corruption charges in the 1980s, he walked out of court a free man.
Then he stuck the city with a hefty bill for his defense lawyer.
His bill, along with that of former City Council President Earl Harris, who was also tried for corruption, cost the city more than $1 million, thanks to a city ordinance that covers legal fees for officials if they are acquitted of criminal charges or if the case is dismissed.
Now, nearly two decades later, the city could find itself in a similar situation if former Mayor Sharpe James beats federal charges that he dipped into public money to pay for lavish vacations and steered lucrative land deals to a companion, Tamika Riley. Authorities say James spent $58,000 on city-issued credit cards for luxury meals, trips and movie tickets.
James, a state senator representing Newark and mayor for two decades, was indicted on 25 counts last week. Over the weekend, Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), also the state Democratic chairman, called for James’ resignation from the Senate. Cryan made his comments in a television appearance and did not return a call seeking comment yesterday.
So far, James has not asked the city to pay any fees for his attorney, Raymond M. Brown. Brown did not return a call for comment yesterday.
“We have not received a request from the attorneys of Sharpe James and until that time, it would be irresponsible to speculate or comment,” said Lupe Todd, a spokeswoman for Mayor Cory Booker.
Reimbursing the legal costs of current and former officials who are sued or charged with crimes while performing their official duties is standard in the state, said William Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
“We live in a litigious society and there’s court cases brought against local officials for just about everything — some valid, some non-valid,” he said. “You can be on a planning board and sued personally for things that you did on behalf of your municipality.”
But in most cases, Dressel said, municipalities will not pay the legal fees if an official is convicted. Such is the case in Newark, which has ridden through a carousel of corruption trials over time.
5 Comments
If he’s allow to walk free, he should pay his own lawyers bills. Who know how much this man has stolen from the people of Newark. With each dollar he stole, went a part of a poor child future, someone means of support. All because of his greed.
If he’s allow to walk free, he should pay his own lawyers bills. Who know how much this man has stolen from the people of Newark. With each dollar he stole, went a part of a poor child future, someone means of support. All because of his greed. Also if he found to be quity, the city should do what ever it can to recoupe it stolen income.
If he’s allow to walk free, he should pay his own lawyers bills. Who know how much this man has stolen from the people of Newark. With each dollar he stole, went a part of a poor child future, someone means of support. All because of his greed. Also if he’s found to be quity, the city should do what ever it can to recoupe it stolen income.
Also, with Newark’s current budget issue, the LAST thing Booker’s admin would want to pay for is James’ legal bill. I agree danc, he should cough up his own cash…out of mere respect for the city
If he’s acquitted and makes the city pay his bill, it’ll be nothing more than a strategy to turn the citizens against Booker.