🚨🌿 ATLANTIC CITY OFFICIAL CHARGED IN FEDERAL CANNABIS BRIBERY CASE ⚖️
Atlantic City official Kashawn McKinley faces federal charges for allegedly soliciting cash, marijuana, and a physical assault from a cannabis business owner. Prosecutors say McKinley offered to lower city fees and provide official favors in exchange for these bribes.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — An Atlantic City public official and school board member is facing federal charges after prosecutors accused him of soliciting cash, marijuana and other benefits from a cannabis business owner in exchange for official assistance.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Kashawn McKinley, 42, the city's director of constituent services and a member of the Atlantic City Board of Education, was charged by criminal complaint with honest services fraud and two counts of soliciting bribes.
Federal prosecutors allege McKinley sought more than $20,000 in cash and marijuana from a cannabis business owner in connection with assistance opening the business and resolving fees owed to Atlantic City.
One allegation involves the business being classified as a “micro” cannabis business rather than a standard cannabis business. Prosecutors say that classification reduced the annual mercantile license renewal fee from $25,000 to $2,500.
The complaint also alleges that McKinley sought payment through services. Prosecutors say that in October 2025, he directed the business owner to assault another person in exchange for help with the owner's disputes involving city fees.
According to federal prosecutors, McKinley was later shown what appeared to be a photograph of the injured person and allegedly expressed approval before assuring the business owner that the fee issues with Atlantic City would be resolved.
McKinley made his initial appearance Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in federal court in Camden.
If convicted, the honest services fraud charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each bribery charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Atlantic City Resident Agency and Atlantic City Public Corruption Task Force.
⚖️ The charges contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. McKinley is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
📲 Garden State News Network will continue following this developing federal case.