Kashawn McKinley
Introduction
Kashawn McKinley, 42, Director of Constituent Services in Atlantic City and a member of the Atlantic City School Board, was charged by criminal complaint with honest services fraud and two counts of soliciting bribes. He had his initial appearance on September 24, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in federal court in Camden, in a case announced by U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Background Information
At the time of the charges, McKinley held two public positions in Atlantic City: Director of Constituent Services for the city and a seat on the Atlantic City School Board. The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey on September 24, 2026, and center on alleged official assistance McKinley provided to a cannabis business owner in matters involving the City of Atlantic City, including the opening of the business and fees the owner owed to the city.
The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation
Charged, not convicted. McKinley faces accusations set out in a criminal complaint, and the charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, with the defendant presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, McKinley allegedly solicited more than $20,000 in cash and marijuana in exchange for his official assistance to a cannabis business owner in connection with the opening of the business and resolving certain fees the owner owed to the City of Atlantic City. In one instance, he allegedly received a bribe payment for his assistance in getting the cannabis business classified as a “micro” cannabis business instead of a standard cannabis business, which resulted in the business paying a $2,500 annual fee to renew its mercantile license instead of the $25,000 annual fee required for standard cannabis businesses.
The complaint further alleges that in October 2025, McKinley directed the business owner to assault another person in exchange for McKinley’s official assistance in resolving the fee disputes between the owner and Atlantic City. When McKinley was later shown what appeared to be a photograph of the injured victim, he allegedly expressed pleasure and assured the business owner that, when it came to the fee disputes with Atlantic City: “you don’t have to worry about nothing.”
Public Reaction and Consequences
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency and the FBI’s Atlantic City Public Corruption Task Force, both under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the charges. The honest services fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000, while each of the two bribery counts carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
The government is represented by Francesca Liquori, Senior Trial Counsel for the Special Prosecutions Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Assistant United States Attorney Jena Tiernan of the office’s Criminal Division. McKinley’s defense counsel is James Maguire, Esq., AFPD.
Current Status
The case stands at the complaint stage as of the September 24, 2026 announcement, with McKinley’s initial appearance held that day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey issued the announcement as Press Release Number 26-203.
Impact on Their Career/Life
The charges directly concern the public roles McKinley holds, since the alleged scheme involved exchanging his official assistance as an Atlantic City official for cash, marijuana, and services. If convicted on the honest services fraud count, he faces up to 20 years in prison, and each bribery count carries up to 10 years, with fines of up to $250,000 per count.
Sources
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, “Atlantic City Director of Constituent Services Charged for Accepting Bribes Related to a Cannabis Business” — source