former state senator and five-term Newark Mayor Sharp James has died James was a controversial character in New Jersey politics starting his career as an energetic councilman fighting for his belleaguered city opposing corruption and championing new development for Newark including its crown jewel NJPAC But by the end of his five terms as mayor James became the very type of politician he launched his career opposing He was charged by then US attorney Chris Christie with personal spending on lavish trips and personal items on the city's credit card He was also charged with arranging real estate deals for his then girlfriend James was convicted on 33 counts of federal corruption and served 27 months in prison He eventually gave up his mayoral seat after a fiery race against now US Senator Cy Booker that led to a documentary called Street Fight James died at the age of 89