From: Jim Rosenfield <[j n r] at [igc.apc.org]>
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
Date: 20 Feb 94 09:03 PST
Subject: Mayor Caught Buying Coke

				BRF--Mayor-Drugs

APn  2/1/94 2:15 PM

Copyright 1994 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The information contained in this news report may not be
republished or redistributed without the prior written authority
of The Associated Press.

   ASBURY PARK, N.J. (AP) -- The mayor was arrested trying to buy
cocaine at a bar across from police headquarters and faces felony
charges with his wife, authorities said.
   Mayor Dennis M. Buckley, and his wife, Catherine, were arrested
Monday after a monthlong investigation. Under state law, Buckley
would have to leave office if convicted of a felony.
   Buckley bought what he believed to be two packets of cocaine at
the Tap Room, Monmouth County Prosecutor John Kaye said. A search
of Mrs. Buckley's purse turned up a packet of cocaine, he said.
   "What he bought was not drugs. He thought he was buying drugs.
We had planted a substitute," Kaye said.
   Buckley, 42, was charged with possession of cocaine and
conspiracy to possess cocaine. If convicted, he faces three to
five years in prison and a $7,500 fine on each charge.
   The mayor didn't return telephone messages Tuesday.  He was
   elected in May. During the campaign, he promised to work on the
   drug problem if elected.
Asbury Park is a city of 16,800 along the New Jersey shore.