NJ Consultant Sentenced in Corruption Sting

A northern New Jersey political consultant arrested in the state's largest political corruption sting has been sentenced to a six-month prison term after pleading guilty to bribery-related charges.

Joseph Cardwell was sentenced Friday in Newark federal court. The 70-year-old must also serve six months of home confinement.

He admitted in March to accepting $10,000 from a federal informant and passing money on to an unnamed Jersey City official who would help the informant with a building project.

Cardwell was arrested in July 2009 in a massive roundup following a federal investigation into political corruption and money laundering.

The majority of the 46 defendants have pleaded guilty. Four have been convicted at trial, and two were acquitted by juries. Two more have had charges dropped.

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