ASBURY PARK, N.J. (AP) — A former mayor and a local political leader were convicted Monday of plotting to bribe a councilwoman in the latest corruption case related to the city's waterfront redevelopment.
Kenneth E. Saunders Sr., Asbury Park mayor from 1997 to 2001, also faces trial next month on five unrelated counts alleging he cheated on his tax returns.
His attorney, Anthony Iacullo, said Saunders would appeal Monday's verdict on the federal conspiracy count.
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Prosecutors said Saunders and Rayfield James Jr., leader of Asbury United, offered to cover $16,000 in mortgage-related debt for then-Councilwoman Sheila Solomon and pay off her $50,000 mortgage in return for her vote for the mayor's choice of a waterfront developer.