Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam pleads guilty to wire fraud
Amanda Woods
Oct. 3, 2019
Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal wire fraud charge for soliciting tens of thousands of dollars in donations he claimed would go to a youth basketball team — but spending the dough on himself instead.
In total, Gilliam, 49, defrauded victims of $87,215 — both during his mayoral term and his previous time as a City Council member, according to a federal lawsuit obtained by The Press of Atlantic City.
Gilliam told potential donors that their contributions would benefit the youth basketball team and/or help provide school supplies to underprivileged children, according to the report.
Instead, the mayor used the donations for personal expenses, including luxury clothing, pricey meals and trips that had nothing to do with the team, authorities told the paper. ...
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