The Corruption Index

How much is a police directorship worth? In Newark, about $15,000. That figure was in Mayor Kenneth Gibson's Dow-Jones of bribes he has been offered during the first 21 months of his administration. In all, Gibson said last week, $31,000 could have been his for making certain appointments. The offers came in anonymous notes and calls and included propositions of 10% kickbacks on city construction programs.

It was such graft that led to the conviction of his predecessor, Hugh Addonizio, on 64 charges of extortion and conspiracy. The offers to Gibson are being investigated for possible prosecution of the would-be donors.

Gibson disclosed the figure at a meeting of Newark's Chamber of Commerce, adding, "I challenge you not to offer any money to anyone in the city administration for the next four years." Gibson, whose annual salary is $35,000, said he would not know what to do with the bribes: "I couldn't put it under the mattress and I couldn't put it in the bank."