Sharpes James Sentenced to 27 Months

Sharpe James, the former five-time mayor of Newark, NJ who was convicted of corruption in April, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for "failing to disclose his romantic relationship with a woman whom he helped to get a lucrative deal on some city-owned land." U.S. District Judge William Martini said, "This is a sad day. A sad day for the citizens of Newark who are disappointed in the conduct of the mayor." Martini also criticized the prosecutors, who had been hoping for a 20-year sentence. James's former mistress Tamika Riley was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 29, 2008 3:53 PM

Comments [rss]

nik13

Sommelier...you're damn right. We'd hang, while Sharpes of this world would walk. I wonder how dirty this judge is? NJ judges are political appointees, so I wonder whose d..k did Honorable Martini "caress" to get his job?

NannyState

All the crack johns along Springfield avenue are at half mast.

Gregoire

I highly recommend everybody run out and rent the great documentary Street Fight, which will now play in a far more satisfactory way than ever before.

Rfive

gangsters got it easy...

to refute nicholson in betrayal. this chappie took it!

JMH

I hope it's federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison, that corrupt fuck deserves it.

Sommelier

"Martini also criticized the prosecutors"

If any of us had been convicted of this, we'd get 20 years, not 27 months. Criticize the prosecutors? What for? For finally building a case against a blatantly corrupt man who violated the public trust?

Toby von Meistersinger

You forgot to mention that he was also a state senator. New Jersey, where you can not only be a corrupt mayor, you can also be a corrupt state senator at the same time!