Watch CBS News

Former Trenton Mayor Tony Mack Gets 4 Years, 10 Months For Corruption

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The former mayor of the capital city of New Jersey was sentenced to nearly five years in prison Thursday after being convicted on corruption charges.

Former Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, 48, was sentenced to four years and 10 months. He also must do 100 hours of community service and pay $3,000 in fines.

Mack was found guilty in February of bribery, fraud and extortion while mayor of Trenton. He was busted as part of a government sting.

His brother, former Trenton Central High School football Coach Ralphiel Mack, also was convicted. Prosecutors say he participated in a scheme to take bribes in exchange for helping get approvals to develop a parking garage.

Tony Mack remained in office for 19 days after his conviction before a judge ordered him removed from office and stripped him of his taxpayer-funded pension. He served less than one term as mayor of the city where he grew up.

Voters went to the polls Tuesday to choose his replacement. But since none of the six candidates received a majority of the voters, there will be a runoff June 10 between the top two finishers, Eric Jackson and Paul Perez.

Mack joined a string of New Jersey mayors convicted in corruption cases since 2000 that included the leaders of Newark, Camden and Asbury Park.

His administration was under a cloud from the time he took office in 2010 as Trenton's first new mayor in 20 years.

The state government took a role in city hiring decisions after charges of rampant cronyism and financial mismanagement. There was also rapid turnover at key city government jobs. Since deep layoffs in the city police force, crime in the city of 84,000 - one of the nation's poorest state capitals - has been a major problem. Last year, there were a record 41 homicides, including two men shot by police during confrontations.

Mack joins a string of New Jersey mayors convicted in corruption cases since 2000 that included the leaders of Newark, Camden and Asbury Park.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.