A disgraced politician on his way to jail says that he was taking bribes “for the people”:
ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (AP) — Craig Callaway walked into federal court with his head held high and his middle finger raised even higher.
After his supporters were done cursing, pushing and shoving reporters, the disgraced former Atlantic City Council president offered up a populist twist on the latest in a seemingly endless string of political corruption cases in New Jersey: He said he took bribes “for the people.”
The explanation didn’t impress a federal judge, who on Tuesday sentenced the 47-year-old head of a political crew to 40 months in prison.
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“The reason why I had a good relationship with the informant is because Mr. Jacobs was doing the right thing for the people of Atlantic City,” Callaway told the judge. “He hired local people, he empowered them economically.
“I just wanted to help the people,” he added. “They are the real victims.”
Callaway did not explain how pocketing $36,000 in bribes helped the people he represented. His lawyer, Jeremy Frey, told the judge that at least Callaway did not bother to try to disguise the bribes as campaign contributions, and asked for some credit for his client not being disingenuous.
And that, dear friends, is an attorney desparetely coming up with any argument he can to save his client.
