Former Newark Mayor Sharp James Fined for Campaign Violations

A judge has ruled against convicted former Newark Mayor Sharpe James in a lawsuit over campaign finances.

Under the ruling by state Superior Court Judge Harriet Klein, James will have to pay a $30,000 fine for using money from his campaign account to pay for his criminal defense.

James was convicted in 2008 and sent to prison on charges of abusing his office by steering city-owned land to his one-time mistress. He was released in the spring of 2010.

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission sued James last year over $94,000 it claimed he took from campaign funds to pay for legal fees.

The judge's ruling was made Friday and published on the election commission's website on Wednesday.