Former Jersey City deputy mayor sentenced to 3 years in NJ’s largest corruption probe

Ex-Jersey City official gets 3 yrs for corruption

NEWARK, N.J. — A former Jersey City deputy mayor has been sentenced to three years in prison in the largest federal probe of political corruption in New Jersey.

Seventy-five-year-old Leona Beldini did not react as she was sentenced Monday in federal court in Newark.

The Democrat was arrested last year in a sting that resulted in charges against her and 45 others. Twenty defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted so far, including a defendant Monday.

Beldini was found guilty in February of accepting $20,000 in illegal campaign contributions. The money came from an FBI informant posing as a real estate developer.

U.S. District Judge Jose Linares also ordered Beldini to pay a $30,000 fine and report to prison by Aug. 2.

Her attorney says they will appeal.