By: Tracie Carter
Federal authorities have charged an Atlantic City official following an investigation into allegations that he sought thousands of dollars in bribes from the owner of a cannabis business.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Kashawn McKinley, 42, who serves as Atlantic City’s Director of Constituent Services and is a member of the Atlantic City School Board, was charged with honest services fraud and two counts of soliciting bribes.
McKinley appeared Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in federal court in Camden.
Federal prosecutors allege McKinley sought more than $20,000 in cash and marijuana from a cannabis business owner in return for using his position to assist with matters involving the opening of the business and fees owed to Atlantic City.
According to federal court documents, one alleged payment was connected to efforts to have the operation treated as a micro cannabis business rather than a standard cannabis business.
Prosecutors said the classification reduced the annual mercantile license renewal fee from $25,000 to $2,500.
The federal complaint also contains allegations involving an October 2025 assault.
Authorities allege McKinley directed the cannabis business owner to assault another individual as another form of payment for assistance with outstanding fee disputes involving the city.
Prosecutors said McKinley was later shown what appeared to be an image of the injured person and subsequently indicated that the business owner would not have to worry about the fee issues.
If convicted, the honest services fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Each bribery count carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency and the Atlantic City Public Corruption Task Force.