Besieged Newark Mayor Suspends Police Chief

Federal officials are stepping up investigations into the administration of Mayor Sharpe James, who put the city’s embattled police director on leave from his job Monday.

The office and home of Police Director William Celester were raided last week by federal agents, who also searched the office, home and girlfriend’s home of the mayor’s chief of staff.

James, who became mayor in 1986, and several top city officials have been the subject of a lengthy probe into alleged corruption and misuse of city funds. The investigation has focused on allegations of illegal campaign fund-raising as well as influence-peddling, income-tax evasion and fraud.

Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed thousands of documents from City Hall and reportedly convened a grand jury to hear the case.

Celester also has been under investigation for allegedly accepting payoffs for transfers and promotions within the police department. Celester’s attorney has denied wrongdoing by his client.