Former Newark Deputy Mayor Salahuddin Seeking New Trial
One of three legal courses of action facing former Newark Deputy Mayor Ronald Salahuddin and businessman Sonnie L. Cooper may be taken by the time you read this.
A State Superior Court-Trenton jury, who had found Salahuddin, 61, and Cooper,
69, guilty of one count of conspiracy to extort under the color of official right Oct. 14, left them and their attorneys with these choices: order a new trial, file an appeal - or accept the verdict and take the pending sentence.
Alan L. Zegas, Cooper's attorney, told "Local Talk" 2 p.m. Oct. 26 that he and his client intend to pursue a new trial.
"We're filing a notice for motion of a new trial with the U.S. District Court today," said Zegas, of Chatham. "If our motion is granted, there will be no need to take an appeal."
"Local Talk," however, has not heard from Salahuddin's attorney, Thomas R. Ashley, of Orange, as of press time.
"Salahuddin and Cooper schemed to steer contracts that put their business interests ahead of the public interest," said US Attorney Paul Fishman. "The people of New Jersey deserve better. The jury's verdict echoes our own commitment to hold accountable those who abuse their authority."
“It's a sad day for the City of Newark,” said Mayor Cory A. Booker in a statement. “Our citizens deserve more. My administration will continue its efforts to prevent and root out any wrongdoing by public officials no matter what position they hold.”
The jury, on one hand, acquitted Cooper and Salahuddin of attempted conspiracy and bribery. The two defendants, on the other hand, are going through one of the lowest phases of their lives.
Cooper is perhaps best known for his sandwiches made and sold for decades from his Orange Street and South Orange Avenue liquor stores. He also owns and operates demolition, waste hauling, street sweeping and snow removal businesses that, according to a 2009 US Department of Labor report, employ 150 people.
S. Cooper Trucking has held several demolition, waste and cleaning contracts with municipalities, including the Township of Irvington in 2007.
Salahuddin was Booker's Deputy Mayor of Public Safety from July 1, 2006 until his resignation for health reasons July 24, 2009. The former Newark Police officer of three decades' experience had worked his way into the Essex County Sheriff's office, serving Armando Fontoura as a detective 1998-2006.
The 36-page federal indictment asserts that Salahuddin used his office to steer demolition contracts via third parties to benefit his private partnership with Cooper.
Federal investigators had the just-retired demolition owner Nicholas Mazzocchi wear a wire to record vendor contract conversations with Cooper and Salahuddin 2007-08.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
