Trenton's embattled mayor and accused criminal Tony Mack left the federal court house in Trenton saying nothing about charges he, his brother and a local pizza shop owner took money in exchange for favors to build an inner city parking garage.
The FBI says it was on to it from the beginning.
"It became clear relatively quickly that Giorgianni was a bag man for the mayor," said U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.
Pizza shop owner and convicted sex offender Joseph Giorgianni is accused of being the mayor's middle man who helped solicit over $100,000 in bribes from cooperating government witnesses to build a parking garage on this city owned lot a few blocks from city hall.
It was all caught on audio and video tape, with the mayor and his alleged bag man talking in code.
"Giorgianni told the mayor that he'd received a payment using the code word "Uncle Remus." Uncle Remus came by, Uncle Remus landed or Uncle Remus is coming to visit," Fishman explained.
The FBI says it recorded dozens of conversations.
Mack's arrest comes two months after FBI agents raided his home, city hall and other locations.
"I have not violated the public trust nor have I violated any of my public duties," Mack said back in July.
"It's over," said one Trenton resident.
Word of Mack's arrest spread quickly in New Jersey's capital city. Most people said it's time for the mayor to go.
"When you do wrong, you get wrong come back to you. You gotta handle it," said one taxpayer.
"If you do something illegal, you should be the one doing the time, if you did the crimes," another added.
After Mack's court hearing, his lawyer refused to comment on the charges against his client. Mack was freed on $150,000 bail. He faces up to 20 years if convicted. His brother, Ralphiel Mack was also charged. Girogianni and eight others were arrested on drug charges as part of a second federal investigation.
No word on whether Mack plans to step down as mayor.
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