TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A judge is giving the mayor of New Jersey’s capital city 12 days to make a case for why he should not be thrown out of office after being found guilty of corruption.

Trenton Mayor Tony Mack was convicted last week of taking bribes in exchange for helping get approvals for a real-estate development in a fictitious deal that was part of a government sting.

The state Attorney General’s Office filed papers this week requesting Mack be removed from office and stripped of his pension. Judge Mary Jacobson on Wednesday gave Mack until Feb. 24 to submit papers explaining why he should not be thrown out.

Mack could not be reached for comment Wednesday night, and his criminal defense lawyer did not immediately return a call.

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