A lot on James' plate
Senate service touted on car even as he's convicted in court.
TRENTON - It is classic New Jersey: A newly convicted ex-lawmaker leaves a federal courthouse and climbs into a car bearing a license plate proclaiming "former senator."
The black Cadillac belongs to Sharpe James, a former Newark mayor and state senator who last week became the latest public figure in New Jersey to be convicted on federal corruption charges.
James faces a long stint in jail, but he still enjoys one of the perks of holding state office in the Garden State - a special license plate, emblazoned with the official New Jersey seal, that lets the world know he served in the Legislature.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are among only a handful of states that offer special plates to retired lawmakers. Former legislators and mayors can pay $50 to get them.
New Jersey has issued 43 plates to former legislators, and 327 to former mayors, said Kevin Cranston of the state Motor Vehicle Commission. The agency does not have a list of the names.
"Vanity plates are called that for a reason, and politicians spend a lifetime calling attention to themselves," noted Peter Woolley, a Fairleigh Dickinson University political scientist.
Beyond the attention, Cranston said, the plates don't afford any special privileges to drivers.
Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R., Morris), who has two legislative plates of his own, said they didn't do much than make it easier to get through the state police checkpoint near the Statehouse.
Still, he said it was "clearly awkward as well as inappropriate" for a retired legislator convicted of a crime to drive around with a special plate.
Yesterday, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D., Bergen) vowed to introduce legislation to repeal the state law offering the plates.
"There is no compelling reason that former officials should continue claiming the trappings of office once their service expires," she said.
James' plate drew attention not just because it said "former senator," but also because its registration letters read "BIBLE."
James took it off his car before leaving the courthouse, presumably in an attempt to drive home without being noticed, even though New Jersey drivers who fail to display a license plate face a $100 fine.