Deputy mayor in NJ convicted on 2 of 6 counts in 1st trial in federal corruption sting

Town official guilty in first NJ corruption trial

NEWARK, N.J. — A city official in New Jersey has been convicted on two of six corruption counts in the first trial stemming from the state’s largest federal sting.

The panel returned its verdict against Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini on Thursday at the end of its second day of deliberations following a nine-day trial.

Beldini showed little reaction as the verdict was read.

She has been convicted on two counts of accepting bribes from a federal informant posing as a corrupt developer. She has been acquitted of extortion conspiracy, two counts of attempted extortion and a third bribery count.

The 74-year-old Beldini was among 44 people arrested last summer in a dual public corruption and money laundering sting.