Bloomfield Councilman Charged In Bribery Case

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A town councilman in New Jersey has been charged for allegedly telling a business owner he needed to pay $15,000 or the township wouldn't purchase his property.

Acting Attorney General John Hoffman said Bloomfield Councilman Elias Chalet "crookedly'' used his authority for his personal enrichment.

According to police, the 53-year-old made the proposition during a meeting with the business owner on Oct. 8. Police said conversations were recorded from two more meetings after that.

Chalet was taken into custody at his real estate office on Monday night. He is charged with bribery.

If convicted, Chalet faces up to 10 years in prison.

Township officials didn't respond to the Associate Press' requests for comment.

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