JERSEY CITY AND BEYOND — Closing arguments were given Tuesday in the trial of fomer City Councilman and state Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, according to news reports.
Smih was on trial on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right; two counts of attempted extortion, two counts of bribery and one count of money laundering. The charges are in connection with a federal government sting in 2009. He allegedly met with government informant Solomon Dwek, and Smith is accused of taking $15,000 from Dwek.
First the government gave their argument followed by Smith’s lawyer.
The jury is expected to give their decision by the end of this week. – Ricardo Kaulessar