A New Jersey sandwich shop owner has admitted his role in an extortion scheme that allegedly involved Trenton Mayor Tony Mack.
Joseph Giorgianni pleaded guilty Friday to two extortion counts and unrelated drug and weapons charges. The pleas came just weeks before the 64-year-old Ewing Township resident was scheduled to stand trial in the bribery scheme case, and one day after a judge declared Giorgianni mentally competent to stand trial.
Giorgianni was charged in September 2012 with extortion conspiracy for allegedly being Mack's bagman. Mack maintains his innocence.
Giorgianni said he handled bribes from government informants in a fake land-development deal in Trenton. He said he gave Mack about $8,000 in bribes he had received from the informant.
Giorgianni could face a lengthy prison term when he's sentenced in March.
