SECAUCUS – Former Mayor Dennis Elwell has been granted a two-week reprieve in reporting to prison while a federal judge weighs his request to remain free pending an appeal of his bribery conviction, according to news reports.
An order signed by U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares on Tuesday postponed Elwell’s surrender date from June 4 to June 18 to consider the pending motion. His lawyers filed a notice of appeal on April 24.
Elwell, 66, was sentenced April 12 in Federal Court to 30 months in prison. On July 6, a federal jury acquitted Elwell of conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion, but convicted him on bribery, in connection with a government sting. Federal prosecutors claimed that Solomon Dwek, an FBI informant posing as a real estate developer, gave Elwell $10,000 cash, allegedly through Ronald Manzo, in order to get favoritism on development projects. Elwell has said he saw the money as a campaign contribution rather than a bribe.