A former Democratic power broker sold his political influence in schemes including one that involved a multibillion-dollar megamall project that has languished for more than a decade at New Jersey's Meadowlands sports complex, a federal prosecutor told jurors Thursday at the start of Joseph Ferriero's racketeering trial.
Now known as American Dream Meadowlands, the sprawling project was known as Xanadu in the early 2000s when, federal prosecutors contend, Ferriero used his position as head of the Bergen County Democratic Organization to squeeze nearly $2 million out of a Virginia-based developer in exchange for his political influence.
Ferriero is charged with racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud. In opening statements Thursday morning, Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Llanes told jurors Ferriero "abused his power and influence to line his own pockets." Defense lawyer Michael Baldassare was scheduled to give his opening statement later Thursday.
In court filings, Baldassare, has argued that Ferriero made his living as an attorney, consultant and businessman and "exercised his prerogative to engage in political speech" by holding the unpaid, volunteer position with the Bergen County Democratic Organization.
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