Brooklyn Democratic Leader Convicted

NEW YORK --- The longtime leader of the Brooklyn Democratic Party was convicted in three felonies of mishandling campaign contributions stemming from a probe of brokering judicial seats.

After a nearly two-week trial, jurors convicted Assemblyman Clarence Norman Jr. of violating election law by taking excessive campaign donations, and falsifying business records.

The jury agreed with prosecutors that Norman tried to conceal $10,000 worth of contributions in the 2000 and 2002 Assembly primary elections. Norman's lawyers had maintained it was all an honest mistake.

Norman now could face up to four years in prison.