Judge orders two trials for ex-mayor

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the former mayor of Newark, N.J., should be tried separately for land fraud and allegedly living it up with city funds.

U.S. District Judge William Martini found that jurors might be unable to judge fairly if Sharpe James allowed a friend to buy land owned by Newark at discount prices if they had heard evidence that he used Newark credit cards to pay for personal trips, including vacations with girl friends, the Star-Ledger of Newark reported.

James' lawyers argued that jurors should not be told of allegations about the married ex-mayor's personal life.

"I think there is some real risk of the jury being able to compartmentalize," Martini said during a hearing on a motion by James' lawyers.

Martini said that the first trial should be on the charges that James helped Tamika Riley make $700,000 in fraudulent profits by re-selling land bought at fire sale prices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Germano said she plans to argue that the decision should be up to federal prosecutors.

After two decades as Newark mayor, James decided not to seek re-election in 2006. His second term in the state Senate ended this week.