Still No Verdict in Sharpe James Mayor Corruption Case

NEWARK - The jury in the corruption trial of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James yesterday heard its first reading of testimony but did not conclude work on its fourth day of its deliberations.

The 12 jurors are to return today. They have spent about 22 hours considering charges that James abused his office by steering discounted city land to a one-time mistress, Tamika Riley of Jersey City, who is also on trial.

The jury requested to hear the testimony of JoAnne Watson, the city's top lawyer during the end of James' 20-year tenure as mayor of the state's largest city.

Watson, called by federal prosecutors, said contracts that James signed that gave land to Riley barred city employees from having a conflict of interest in the transaction.

James did not disclose his relationship with Riley, testimony revealed. However, under cross-examination, she said that corporate or business interests, not personal relationships, are to be disclosed.

Prosecutors conceded that James got no financial benefit from his affair with Riley.

Prosecutors charged that James abused his office and betrayed his constituents by arranging for the sale of nine city-owned properties for $46,000 to Riley from 2001 to 2005. Riley quickly sold them for $665,000 without ever starting required rehabilitation work on most of them, prosecutors said. [MORE]