Former Mayor of Newark Indicted
Newark’s former mayor Sharpe James was indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges.

Sharpe James, 71, was first publicly questioned on his financial practices during his 20-year tenure as mayor of Newark (five four-year terms) in late 2006.

Thursday, July 12, James was indicted on 33 counts, including using city-issued credit cards for luxurious vacations in Puerto Rico, Martha’s Vineyard, the Dominican Republic, Rio de Janeiro, Florida.

James gave this royal treatment to eight female companions as well, according to U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie and state Attorney General Anne Milgram.

The former mayor, who stepped down last year, is also charged with fraud for land sales he authorized at minimal price, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars for himself, authorities said.

Tamika Riley, 38, of Jersey City, one of his female companions, was also charged. She allegedly bought property with an impressive discount and then resold for an impressive personal profit.

James has been a state senator since 1999. According to media reports, his two jobs brought him around $250,000 yearly, which did not stop James from using taxpayers’ money for going to the movies, as state Attorney General Anne Milgram said Thursday.

James turned himself in at FBI headquarters in Newark following his midday indictment Thursday. His bail has been set at $250,000. he maintains he is innocent.