Hamilton Township Mayor Charged with Taking Bribes

A grand jury has indicted the mayor of New Jersey's largest suburb for allegedly taking bribes from a government informant.

John Bencivengo is mayor of Hamilton Township, in Mercer County.

He was charged in April with attempted extortion for allegedly taking about $12,000 in bribes from someone seeking to maintain a contract with the township's school district.

The indictment handed up Thursday adds several other counts including money laundering.

The extortion and money laundering counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Through his lawyer, Bencivengo has previously denied the charges.

A message left for his attorney Thursday was not immediately returned.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)