Testimony Continues In Ex-NJ Lawmaker's Trial

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Testimony continues in the federal corruption trial of former New Jersey Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith.

Jurors on Thursday are hearing more from former Jersey City housing official Edward Cheatam.

Cheatam, who has pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy, testified Wednesday that he introduced Smith to a developer looking to pay bribes for zoning approvals.

The developer was government informant Solomon Dwek. Dwek secretly taped meetings with Smith and other public officials between 2007 and 2009.

Smith was one of 46 people arrested in the sting last year. About half have pleaded guilty and three have been convicted at trial.

Smith has pleaded not guilty to several extortion, bribery and money laundering counts.

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