FBI Raids Atlantic City Mayor's Home

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - FBI agents searched Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam Jr.’s home Monday morning, the bureau confirmed. The FBI conducted the search “in an official capacity,” according to the FBI’s Newark field office.

The bureau didn’t elaborate on what they were searching for. The IRS also participated in the search.

The seach concluded at about 12:30 p.m., at which time Gilliam left his home without commenting, according to The Press of Atlantic City. Computer equipment and boxes were removed from the home, and agents also searched Gilliam's car. The city was open and operating as usual, and officials made no comment about the FBI's activity.

Gilliam was in the news recently after he was involved in an incident involving Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy II and three others outside the Haven Nightclub at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino early last month. They were accused of simple assault and harassment in citizen filed complaints.

Last week, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office announced it would not pursue criminal charges in the matter, and that citizen complaints that were filed in the incident would be addressed in North Wildwood municipal court later this month.

Gilliam was also the subject of a criminal complaint in which he was accused of depositing a $10,000 check intended for the Atlantic City Democratic Committee into his own account, according to nj.com. He claimed the check was deposited into his account in error, and a superior court judge found no evidence of any wrongdoing in the case.

However, sources told nj.com on Monday that questions from federal authorities about that check and other alleged financial improprieties continued after that decision came down. Gilliam has faced challenges from his own party, including a 27-3 vote from the Atlantic City Democratic Committee seeking a resolution calling for Gilliam and Fauntleroy to step down from their positions until the investigation into their actions concluded.

Gilliam was elected Atlantic City mayor last year. The Democrat defeated Republican incumbent Don Guardian, who is now the Business Administrator in Toms River.

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