Jan 6 (Reuters) - Jury selection in the corruption trial of the mayor of New Jersey's capital city and his brother begins on Monday, in a case U.S. prosecutors say is filled with secret meetings and code names.
Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, 47, who is still in office, and his brother, Ralphiel Mack, have denied charges related to a 2010 bribery scheme in which $119,000 was offered in exchange for Mayor Mack's help in the development of an automated parking garage on city-owned land.
About $54,000 was actually paid, the indictment said, with the rest to be paid later.
It was not immediately known if the trial will include testimony from a co-conspirator who pleaded guilty in the scheme - restaurant owner Joseph Giorgianni, also known as "The Fat Man" and JoJo, the name of his steak house, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Trenton.
Prosecutors contend that the Mack brothers and Giorgianni agreed to accept money from two persons, identified only as cooperating witnesses who, court documents indicated, were buyers of the land.
Mayor Mack has maintained his innocence and his lawyer has said he has no plans to step down despite a call to do so by Governor Chris Christie.
The mayor faces one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of attempting the obstruction of justice by extortion, one count of accepting bribes and three counts of fraud. His brother faces one count of conspiracy to obstruct, one count of attempting obstruction, one count of accepting bribes and three counts of fraud.
According to the indictment, a scheme was hatched to keep Mayor Mack from being caught. Money was channeled through Giorgianni and Ralphiel Mack, the indictment charged.
"They often used coded and cryptic language, including using the term 'Uncle Remus' to refer to the corrupt payments," the indictment charged.
Part of the effort to hide the scheme involved Giorgianni using the name "Mr. Baker" when sending text messages about the payments, prosecutors said.
Mayor Mack, not a tall man, was referred to as "the little guy" and "Napoleon."
Prosecutors accuse the three of trying to conceal their activities by avoiding meetings in City Hall, which is near the federal courthouse, and instead gathering at Giorgianni's residence, his steak house and restaurants in Atlantic City. (Reporting by Dave Warner; Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Gunna Dickson)
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.