After ex-N.J. mayor’s indictment, city revising rules that could help pay for her defense

Bloustein Local Government | News

Two months after the former mayor of Camden was indicted in a sweeping corruption case that involves top South Jersey powerbrokers, the city is revising rules that could help pay for her legal expenses.

Camden’s city council gave initial approval on Tuesday to changes that lifts a fixed cap on legal expenses and offers legal defenses to former employees and officials. The change also specifically notes criminal matters.

Former Camden Mayor Dana Redd was indicted on racketeering charges along with George E. Norcross III, a formidable and long-feared Democratic powerbroker, his brother and two others…

It is not uncommon for local governments to cover legal expenses, particularly in civil lawsuits, for town employees and officials acting in their official capacity.

But specifically adding criminal matters is “unusual,” said Marc Pfieffer, associate director of Rutgers University’s Center for Planning and Public Policy at Bloustein Local

“But these are also unusual circumstances in Camden,” Pfieffer said.

NJ.com, August 16, 2024