Minor is a former municipal judge, Newark mayoral candidate, and a former member of the Newark Police Department
This January 2009 photo shows Clifford Minor announcing his candidacy for mayor of Newark. NEWARK — Clifford J. Minor, a former Essex County prosecutor who failed in a bid last year to become mayor of Newark, was arrested by the FBI this morning on charges of bribery and obstructing justice, authorities said.
Minor, a criminal defense lawyer who spent two years as chief law-enforcement officer for one of New Jersey's most populated counties, is accused of paying a man to lie about owning a gun so authorities would drop charges against his client.
The 67-year-old one-time Newark police officer and former municipal judge was arrested at his home this morning. He is scheduled to appear before a federal judge later today.
Authorities also arrested Jamal Muhammad, who is accused of accepting $1,500 to take the fall for Minor's client, Abdul Williams.
Williams is also charged and was already in custody. Authorities say he paid Minor $3,500 to facilitate the bribe.
Williams already had a criminal record when he was arrested in 2007 by Newark police and charged with illegal possession of a gun by a convicted felon. Knowing he faced a lengthy prison term, he hired Minor and plotted a scheme, authorities said.
In exchange for the payment, Muhammad would say the gun, a .22 caliber long rifle revolver, belonged to him, authorities said.
Muhammad and Minor had never met, but the lawyer agreed to accompany him to Newark police headquarters for the bogus confession and claim to be his attorney, authorities said. They even rehearsed the confession over the phone, authorities said.
Minor challenged current Newark mayor Cory Booker in the May 2009 mayoral election on the "Newark's Choice" platform. He is charged with perjury, obstruction of justice, and falsifying records.
He retired as Essex County prosecutor in 1997 after two years in the position. As a Newark police officer, Minor supervised the cold case unit.
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