Ex-Newark mayor and mistress convicted in corruption trial

NEWARK, N.J. -- A federal jury has convicted former Newark Mayor Sharpe James and his ex-mistress of corruption stemming from the cut-rate sale of city land.

James was convicted on all five charges he faced, including fraud and conspiracy.

His former girlfriend, Tamika Riley, was convicted on those charges and the eight others she faced, including evading taxes and cheating to obtain subsidized housing assistance for herself.

Prosecutors say the charges carry about seven to eight years in prison for each defendant.

The jury deliberated for about 30 hours over six days at a courthouse just a block from City Hall, where James led New Jersey's largest city for 20 years until 2006.