Passaic mayor Alex Blanco admits taking bribe, faces prison

NEWARK — Passaic Mayor Alex Blanco pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal bribery charge, admitting he received $110,000 in payments from developers in exchange for directing federal housing funds to their projects.

Blanco, podiatrist and father of four, had been mayor since 2008 and earned $72,000 yearly. He resigned Thursday and faces up to a decade in prison.

The City Council planned an emergency meeting for 7 p.m. Thursday to appoint an acting mayor.

"We have been in contact with the city's business administrator and are making every effort to ensure Passaic residents will continue to receive the city services that they have come to expect," Council spokesman Keith Furlong said.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/index.ssf/2016/11/passaic_mayor_pleads_guilty_to_federal_bribery_cha.html