Small, 5 Others Cleared in A.C. Voter Fraud Trial

A jury cleared Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small and five co-defendants of all charges Monday in a voter fraud trial in which they had been charged with trying to steal the 2009 Democratic mayoral primary by tampering with absentee ballots.

It was the second time in five years that Small was found innocent of voter fraud. He was acquitted of similar charges in 2006 involving a mayoral election in which he was not a candidate.

Small says the charges were “trumped up” and adds he has not decided whether to run for office again in the future.

The state attorney general’s office would not say whether it plans to try another six defendants in the case, who are still awaiting their trial.