Former Pol Convicted of Fraud, Bribery

Bryant stood stoically as the verdict was read.

Former New Jersey state Sen. Wayne Bryant, the former chairman of the powerful Senate Budget Committee, was convicted Tuesday of bribery and fraud following an eight-week trial.

The once powerful Camden County Democrat was accused of being paid for a job that required no work at a scandal-ridden state university in exchange for securing state funding for it.

Bryant was accused of using that job and two others where he did little or no work to fraudulently triple his state pension.

Bryant stood stoically as the verdict was read. He left the courtroom, flanked by lawyers and a bailiff, without speaking.

Bryant attorney Carl Poplar declined to comment on the verdict or say whether Bryant would appeal.

"We're going to review everything," Poplar said.

Tuesday's verdict came on the third day of jury deliberations.

Also convicted was the former dean at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford. R. Michael Gallagher was accused of creating a phony job for Bryant, using the legislator's influence to become dean, and devising phony profits on financial statements to receive bonuses.

He was convicted of five counts of mail fraud and acquitted on one count of mail fraud.

Both Bryant and Gallagher remain free until their sentencing hearing, set for March 20.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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