Former New Jersey Legislator Sentenced in Insurance Bribery Case

A former New Jersey assemblyman and north Jersey mayor has been sentenced to nine months in federal prison and nine months of home confinement for his role in a bribery scandal that brought down 12 people, including 11 public officials.

Mims Hackett Jr., 68, pleaded guilty May 27 to attempted extortion under color of official right. The former mayor of Orange admitted he took a $5,000 bribe to steer a city contract to an insurance broker. The broker, however, was an undercover informant working for the FBI.

Hackett, a Democrat, has also been ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and serve two years of supervised release. He remains released on a $200,000 bond.

Of the 11 public officials arrested, nine have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.