Former NJ Lawmaker Acquitted Of Corruption

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- A jury has acquitted former New Jersey Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith of extortion, bribery and money laundering charges in the state's largest corruption sting.

The jury returned the verdict Thursday following two days of deliberations.

Smith embraced his attorneys as the verdict was read in Newark federal court. Prosecutors accused him of taking $15,000 from a government informant who posed as a developer.

Smith's attorney said his client had intended to return all the money and was duped by an elaborate government sting.

Smith's trial was the first in which jurors didn't hear testimony from the government's informant, Solomon Dwek. About half of the 46 people arrested last year have pleaded guilty.

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