Former Secaucus, NJ, Mayor Dennis Elwell pleads not guilty in sweeping corruption case

Ex-NJ mayor pleads not guilty in corruption case

NEWARK, N.J. — One of the New Jersey politicians arrested in a corruption sweep last summer has pleaded not guilty.

Former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell on Friday pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted $10,000 from an undercover government witness who posed as a developer looking to gain project approvals. Elwell’s former associate, Ronald Manzo, also pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted $5,000 for helping set up the deal.

Elwell and Manzo were arrested last July in a wide-ranging corruption probe that netted 44 people in New York and New Jersey, including elected officials and religious leaders.

Elwell resigned as mayor days after his arrest.