Feds Drop Additional Charges Against Sharpe James

The Sharpe James experience will not have to include still another trial as the federal prosecutors have dropped charges that James bilked Newark, New Jersey out of thousands of dollars in credit card charges.

Federal prosecutors today dropped charges that former Newark Mayor Sharpe James abused city credit cards.

They said they determined a conviction wouldn't have added any more prison time than he's already facing under a guilty verdict last month.

The disgraced Democratic powerbroker had been set to stand trial in July on charges he billed the city of Newark for $58,000 in personal expenses, including lavish vacations with more than a half-dozen female companions.

Prosecutors alleged he stuck taxpayers with the tab for everything from movie tickets to fast-food meals and nine-day cruises, but he denied the charges and planned to fight them at trial.