Frank M. Gilliam, Jr. (born May 7, 1970) is an American politician who served as the

mayor of Atlantic City Atlantic City, New Jersey was incorporated on May 1, 1854. It is governed within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law) under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council), Mayor-Council system of municipal government (Plan D), ...

from 2018-2019. He defeated

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

incumbent Don Guardian in the 2017 election and became Atlantic City's third

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

mayor. Gilliam was born and raised in Atlantic City, and attended

Stockton University Stockton University is a public university in Galloway Township, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. It is named for Richard Stockton, one of the New Jersey signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence ...

, where he obtained a BA in

criminal justice Criminal justice is the delivery of justice to those who have been accused of committing crimes. The criminal justice system is a series of government agencies and institutions. Goals include the rehabilitation of offenders, preventing other ...

. He continued his education at the

University of San Francisco The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university in San Francisco, California. The university's main campus is located on a setting between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. The main campus is nicknamed "The Hil ...

, obtaining a master's degree in social work, although this is disputed. He was elected councilman-at-large for the City of Atlantic City in 2008. While a member of city council, he sponsored, and succeeded in having adopted, an ordinance that imposes a fine for helium balloons released outdoors in Atlantic City due to the hazard they pose to marine life. In response PETA,

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA; , stylized as PeTA) is an American animal rights nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. PETA reports that PETA entities hav ...

, recognized Atlantic City with their Compassionate City Award. On November 10, 2018, Mayor Gilliam and Atlantic City Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy II were involved in a physical altercation outside the Golden Nugget's Haven Nightclub. Surveillance video captured the mayor exchanging punches with a man, while the councilman wrestled another person to the ground. Democrats want the Atlantic City mayor and councilman out of office without pay. On November 28, 2018, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announced that he would not be filing charges in the incident. On February 28, 2019, a municipal court dismissed assault and harassment charges filed against Gilliam by two individuals involved in the altercation. In 1997, an Atlantic City woman sought a restraining order against Gilliam when the two were dating in college. The document stated the court found “good cause to believe that (Williams’) life, health, and well-being have been and are endangered by (Gilliam's) acts of violence.” On December 29, 2010, then Councilman-at-Large Gilliam allegedly assaulted a man for walking too close to his car. On December 3, 2018,

Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, ...

and Internal Revenue Service agents raided Gilliam's home, removing computer equipment and boxes. On October 3, 2019, Gilliam pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing $86,000 from a youth basketball team he founded, the Atlantic City Starz. He resigned as mayor that afternoon, effective immediately, and was succeeded the following day by Council President Marty Small Sr.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilliam, Frank 1970 births Living people Mayors of Atlantic City, New Jersey New Jersey city council members New Jersey Democrats African-American mayors in New Jersey New Jersey politicians convicted of crimes 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people