Atlantic City Mayor Says Money Wasn’t a Bribe

Embattled Mayor James Usry admitted through a lawyer Friday that he took money from a businessman working undercover for the state police, but said there was no bribe and that the cash was intended for a charity fund-raising effort.

Usry, 67, was arrested Thursday and charged along with more than a dozen other Atlantic City officials and businessmen in a series of alleged influence-peddling schemes. He said he was innocent of charges that he accepted a $6,000 bribe and that he would not step down as mayor.

Usry is accused of pocketing $6,000 from businessman Albert Black in return for backing a proposed ordinance allowing motorized carts on the casino resort’s famous Boardwalk.