New Jersey Judge Removes Atlantic City Councilman from Office

New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Blee has removed Atlantic City Councilman Muhammad 'Anjum’ Zia from office, effective immediately.

Zia has faced allegations that he did not live in Atlantic City.

Judge Blee agreed that Zia was not a resident of Atlantic City.

Blee is also the assignment judge for Atlantic and Cape May County jurisdictions.

Blee has handled most politically-charged, sensitive cases himself … as he did in this case

The case against Zia was filed by Maria Lacca, who lost a close election to Zia.

In a measured 63 page decision, Blee ruled entirely in favor of Lacca’s  challenge.

We have obtained a copy of the full 63-page Blee decision.

Here is the pertinent Page 2 that tells it all.

Numerous Atlantic City sources and elected officials have alleged for years that Zia actually lives in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

At the time that Zia was re-elected to the Atlantic City Council, he certified that he was a resident of Atlantic City.

This creates an immediate vacancy that will be filled as follows:

The Atlantic City Democratic Committee will nominate 3 candidates to fill the vacancy.

The Atlantic City Council may select one of the three. In the event of a 4-4 tie, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small will break tie.

Many politically involved people in Atlantic City believe that Pat Bailey recently resigned her seat on the Atlantic City Board of Education for a potential run with Small in next year’s Mayor and Council at Large elections.

Zia’s problems are not over, as he still faces criminal charges that arose during this trial before Judge Blee.

The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department arrested and charged Zia right at the Atlantic County Courtroom.

This is a developing story. We will update it with more information later.