Mayor Small Suspends Atlantic City Official Charged in Federal Cannabis Bribery Case

Kashawn McKinley has been suspended without pay following federal corruption charges. Mayor Marty Small says he will review the matter and keep the public informed.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. has suspended city employee Kashawn McKinley without pay following federal corruption charges alleging that McKinley solicited cash, marijuana and an act of violence in exchange for assisting a cannabis business owner.

Small and his attorney, Edwin J. Jacobs Jr., issued a statement Friday, Sept. 25, announcing the suspension and pledging to review the circumstances surrounding the case.

McKinley, 42, the city's director of constituent services and a member of the Atlantic City Board of Education, was charged Thursday with honest-services fraud and two counts of soliciting bribes.

According to federal prosecutors, McKinley allegedly solicited more than $20,000 in cash and marijuana in exchange for helping a cannabis business owner navigate Atlantic City's licensing process and resolve municipal fee disputes.

The allegations also include an incident in which prosecutors say McKinley directed the business owner to physically assault another person as payment for his assistance.

Mayor Announces Immediate Suspension

In Friday's statement, Small said he had been advised of the FBI criminal complaint against McKinley but would not prejudge the case.

"Mayor Small makes no judgment on the accuracy of claims in that complaint because this is America; he believes in the justice system, and Kashawn McKinley is innocent until proven guilty, like any other American," the statement said.

The mayor confirmed that McKinley has been removed from his municipal duties while the federal case proceeds.

"Kashawn McKinley has been suspended immediately without pay pending the outcome of the case," the statement said.

Small also pledged to examine the matter and provide updates to the public.

"Mayor Small remains committed to a transparent administration. He will therefore carefully review all aspects of this matter and keep the public fully informed," the statement said.

The mayor said the review is intended to assure Atlantic City residents of the continued integrity of their municipal government.

Federal Case Involves City's Cannabis Licensing Process

McKinley served as Atlantic City's director of constituent services and was previously identified by the city as a member of its Cannabis Review Board.

According to federal prosecutors, McKinley used his municipal position to assist a cannabis business owner with licensing matters in exchange for improper payments.

One of the allegations involves helping the business obtain a microbusiness classification that reduced its annual municipal mercantile license renewal fee from $25,000 to $2,500.

The federal complaint also describes an alleged $6,000 cash payment connected to a municipal refund received by the cannabis business.

McKinley made his initial appearance in federal court in Camden on Thursday.

The charges against McKinley do not establish wrongdoing by Small or other Atlantic City officials.

McKinley Also Serves on School Board

In addition to his municipal employment, McKinley is an elected member of the Atlantic City Board of Education.

Friday's announcement addressed his employment with the city but did not indicate whether his school board position would be affected.

The federal allegations concern McKinley's municipal activities and dealings with a cannabis business owner, not his responsibilities as a school board member.

McKinley is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

South Jersey NewsBeat will continue following the federal case and any additional action taken by Atlantic City officials.