Plainfield elected officials take note: Indicted does not mean one is not a dignitary

The watchful eye of The Auditor noted today that Newark's indicted former mayor, Sharpe James, has a VIP invite to the opening night of the new Pru Center on Thursday --

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, facing trial for charges of spending city money on lavish trips and selling city land to one of his companions, will receive an invite to the opening night at the Prudential Center Thursday.

James, after years of political maneuvering, managed to secure funding for the arena by channel ing money from a lawsuit settlement to the project with the help of former Gov. James E. McGree vey. The former mayor fought and negotiated for seven years with three different governors to build the arena and bring a major professional sports franchise to Newark.

"He is on the list of dignitaries," confirmed Desiree Peterkin Bell, director of communications for Newark Mayor Cory Booker. The city owns the arena.

Asked whether his status as an indicted official made a difference, Bell said that James, who is a state senator in the 29th District, is still a city dignitary.

This just proves what I've always held -- that Cory Booker is a class act.

Should any Plainfield elected official ever suffer the same fate -- indicted AND invited -- I would insist the same courtesy should be extended.

After all, you're a dignitary until you're convicted, right?

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• Ledger, The Auditor: "Sunday, October 21, 2007"

-- Dan Damon

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