Eyewitness NewsHAMILTON TOWNSHIP -- The mayor of New Jersey's ninth largest town surrendered to the FBI on Thursday, the latest public figure to face charges stemming from a sting involving school contracts. Hamilton Township Mayor John Bencivengo, 58, faces a single charge of attempted extortion, the latest in a long line of New Jersey politicians to face corruption charges.
His lawyer said the mayor of Trenton's largest suburb is not guilty and does not intend to resign despite pressure from some activists.
Bencivengo, a Republican, appeared in court for about 10 minutes Thursday. He was not required to enter a plea and did not speak with reporters after his appearance.But his lawyer said that he would be cleared - and that video taken secretly by an unnamed federal informant would help the mayor's case.
"The thing is that it did not happen," said the lawyer, Jerome Ballarotto.
Federal prosecutors alleged Bencivengo took $12,400 in bribes from a cooperating witness between May and July 2011 in exchange for using his influence over a health insurance contact with the township's school district.
The mayor asked the cooperating witness for money to pay his taxes and living expenses, the U.S. attorney's office said. In return, Bencivengo agreed to speak to a school board member about voting to renew the health insurance brokerage contract, authorities said. Neither the insurance company nor the school board member has been identified in court filings.
"This is the most recent example of a public official charged by this office with extortion or bribery in connection with brokering insurance contracts for public schools. These lucrative service contracts should not be opportunities for public servants to betray their constituents by enriching themselves or their colleagues," U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said in a statement.
Bencivengo, who earns $98,000 a year, became mayor in 2008 and was sworn in to a second term in January.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Just two weeks ago, former Toms River schools superintendent Michael Ritacco pleaded guilty to public corruption and tax evasion. Ritacco admitted taking more than $1 million in bribes in a kickback scheme to inflate school insurance charges.
New Jersey politicians are no strangers to corruption charges. Between 2002 and 2008, more than 130 officials were convicted. The U.S. attorney's office said it has not compiled data for the period since then.
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