Former Newark deputy mayor found guilty in corruption trial.
Though Salahuddin, 61, and his co-defendant Sonnie Cooper were convicted of conspiracy, both men were acquitted of all other charges in their month-long federal corruption trial, including attempted conspiracy and bribery. The verdict rendered in U.S. District Court in Trenton Friday baffled defendants and attorneys alike.
“It defies all logic,” said Thomas Ashley, Salahuddin’s lawyer, questioning how his client could be innocent of attempted conspiracy but convicted of conspiracy. He said he and Cooper’s lawyer, Alan Zegas, will seek a new trial.
“If you follow the transcript, I never asked Mr. Mazzocchi to give Mr. Cooper a job — never,” Salahuddin said Friday, referring to demolition contractor Nicholas Mazzocchi.
The trial, which began Sept. 7, focused on dozens of FBI surveillance tapes Mazzocchi made between July 2006 and December 2007. After getting caught allegedly bribing numerous public and private officials, Mazzocchi agreed to wear a wire for the FBI, officials have said.
On the tapes, Salahuddin is seen and heard telling Mazzocchi he will help him get city demolition contracts, as well as work around the Prudential Arena, if Mazzocchi subcontracts work to Cooper, 69, Salahuddin’s alleged business partner.
The former deputy mayor also encouraged Mazzocchi to donate thousands of dollars to Newark Now and Empower Newark, two groups with close ties to Mayor Cory Booker, according to the tapes.
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