STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Mayors Behaving Badly?

Trenton, N.J. Tony Mack and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray are each dealing with allegations of corruption.

Will Trenton Mayor Tony Mack go down in history as New Jersey's version of former D.C. mayor Marion Barry? Since taking office in July 2010, Mack and his administration have faced controversy nearly every month, according to a timeline prepared by The Times of Trenton.
Problems have ranged from accepting donations from a convicted child molester, nominating a friend who's been indicted for forgery and theft to be the city's housing director, layoffs, cronyism, a "revolving door of cabinet appointees" and more. But, according to the publication, a recall effort in 2011 failed because of the inability to get enough signatures for a special election.
In the latest scandal, the FBI on Wednesday conducted an hours-long raid of Mack's home at 1:00 a.m. Agents also raided the homes of the mayor's brother, Ralphiel, a football coach at Central High School, and child molester Joseph "Jo-Jo" Giorgianni. Mack, however, has said that he has "no idea what it's about."
Meanwhile, further down the I-95 in Washington, D.C., a new Washington Post poll shows that 54 percent of the city's residents, including 48 percent of African-Americans, say that Mayor Vincent Gray should resign, WLJA.com reports. Three city council members also have called on him to step down after news broke last week that a $650,000, illegally funded shadow campaign helped Gray, whose approval rating has dwindled to 33 percent, win election in 2010.
Three of Gray's campaign associates have admitted guilt but the mayor has denied any wrongdoing. It may be too late for him to save himself, however. According to the poll, just 22 percent of respondents think he's honest and trustworthy.
BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: from left AP Photo/Mel Evans, File, AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.