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Former Atlantic City Official Sentenced For Drug Dealing

By David Madden

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. (CBS) - A judge in Atlantic County has sentenced the former Public Works Director in Atlantic City to a 40-year jail term for drug dealing.

Superior Court Judge Max Baker threw the book at 59-year-old Akbar Malik Salaam, of Egg Harbor Township, who will be 84 before he gets a chance at parole.

He was convicted on charges of dealing bricks of cocaine out of the War Memorial Building to a confidential informant three years ago.

Chief Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill expressed satisfaction with the sentence handed down.

"The judge wanted to send a strong message that if you take advantage of trust and deal drugs from a government building that you can spend a lot of time in prison," Shill said.

Salaam's criminal record dates back to the early 1970's. He was arrested 25 times and had seven convictions prior to this point. His lawyer vows to file an appeal.

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