Former Newark mayor convicted of real estate fraud

Sharpe James, the former longtime mayor of Newark, was convicted of fraud for conspiring to sell city-owned property to his then-girlfriend, who earned hundreds of thousands of dollars after quickly flipping the properties. His former girlfriend, Tamika Riley, was also convicted of fraud and conspiracy, in addition to tax evasion. Prosecutors said James used his influence to steer the properties to Riley, who then sold them and did not report the income she earned.