United States of America v. Kashawn McKinley

Newark, New Jersey, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with honest services fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

Kashawn McKinley, 42, Director of Constituent Services in Atlantic City and a member of the Atlantic City School Board 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 owed by the business owner to the City of Atlantic City. In one instance, McKinley 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.

In addition to receiving cash and cannabis, Kashawn McKinley, 42, Director of Constituent Services in Atlantic City and a member of the Atlantic City School Board in one instance expected payment in the form of services. Specifically, 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 business owner and Atlantic City. When McKinley was later shown what appeared to be a photograph of the injured victim, McKinley expressed pleasure and assured the cannabis business owner that when it came to the fee disputes with Atlantic City: “you don’t have to worry about nothing.”

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.