Former Public Works Director Gets 40 Years In Jail For Drug Dealing

By David Madden

ATLANTIC CITY (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, 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."

Salaam's criminal record dates back to the early 70's - 25 arrests, seven convictions prior to this point. His lawyer vows to file an appeal.