Feds Lay Out Extortion Case Against Trenton's Mayor Mack - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Feds Lay Out Extortion Case Against Trenton's Mayor Mack

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U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman responds to the arrest of Mayor Mack Monday during a news conference. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman responds to the arrest of Mayor Mack Monday during a news conference.
TRENTON, N.J. -

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack and his coconspirators face charges in connection with a scheme to extort payments of more than $100,000 from others who were purportedly developing a pubic parking garage, investigators announced.

Mack, his brother Ralphiel Mack and a close associate, Joseph A. "JoJo" Giorgianni, were arrested by federal agents Monday morning.

"Time and time again, we have seen public officials in New Jersey who are all too willing to sell their power and betray the pubic's trust," U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said.

"Here, the Complaint charges that Mayor Mack and his coconspirators were willing to let city property go for a fraction of its worth. And he allegedly chose as his middleman a convicted felon who was simultaneously heading a conspiracy to traffic in prescription medication."

Fishman says the mayor is not charged or connected with the trafficking of prescription drugs.

According to the corruption complaint released Monday, Mack and his associates negotiated with two individuals over the last two years who were cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI. Investigators say Mack and his associates agreed to expedite approvals and sell city-owned property at a fraction of its value.

"The citizens of New Jersey's state capital deserve far better than politicians and cronies who aspire to the Boss Tweed-style, Tammany Hall politics of patronage, graft and corruption, FBI Special Agent Michael Ward said.

FOX 29's Dave Schratwieser will have more on this story on Fox 29 at 5 p.m. Stay with myfoxphilly.com for updates.

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