FBI Raids City Hall in New Jersey's Capital


TRENTON, N.J. July 19, 2012 (AP)

FBI agents on Thursday raided City Hall in New Jersey's capital, a day after searching the home of the city's embattled mayor, his brother and a campaign donor.

The FBI said they had a search warrant for several offices but declined to be more specific. About a dozen FBI vehicles were parked outside City Hall, and some city employees were milling around outside but none could say which offices had been targeted.

Mayor Tony Mack, 46, on Wednesday denied wrongdoing after the FBI spent the overnight hours searching his home, and the homes of his brother, Ralphiel Mack, and businessman Joseph Giorgianni, a campaign donor who is a convicted sex offender.


AP DFILE - In this July 7, 2011 file photo, Trenton Mayor Tony Mack listens to a question in Trenton, N.J. FBI agents staged a middle-of-the-night raid Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at Mack's house. His two-year administration of New Jersey's impoverished capital city has been marked by accusations of nepotism and reckless spending. The mayor, emerging later in the morning from his home, denied any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) Close

The Democratic mayor's first two years in office have been punctuated by accusations of reckless spending, cronyism and mismanagement.

Questions have also lingered about how Mack financed his 2010 campaign at a time of personal financial problems. His home and other properties have faced foreclosure, and last month properties belonging to him, his brother and Giorgianni were all reported by the city to be late on tax payments.

Mack has turned City Hall into a revolving door through a series of heavily criticized appointments.

One of a string of business administrators resigned just ahead of pleading guilty to embezzlement on another job. His housing director quit after it was learned he had a theft conviction. His chief of staff was arrested trying to buy heroin.

His half brother, Stanley "Muscles" David, pleaded guilty earlier this year to official misconduct for directing Trenton Water Works crews to perform private side jobs using city equipment and billing the city.

He is also the target of several wrongful termination lawsuits. One former employee complained she was laid off in part because she had inquired about missing city funds.

FBI Raids City Hall in New Jersey's Capital - ABC News