Fifth co-defendant of Joseph ‘Jojo’ Giorgianni pleads guilty in Trenton drug case

Stephanie Lima of Hamilton was arrested in September on drug charges and quickly began cooperating with the FBI, her attorney said.

TRENTON — The last of five co-defendants who have accepted plea agreements in the pill-peddling case against Joseph “JoJo” Giorgianni pleaded guilty in federal court today.

Stephanie Lima, 41, of Hamilton admitted to her role in the drug-dealing ring Giorgianni allegedly helmed that distributed prescription painkillers.

Giorgianni was indicted on drug distribution charges earlier this month and pleaded not guilty last week. He is also a co-defendant in the separate public corruption case against Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, which is expected to head to trial this summer.

Lima was arrested in September on drug charges and quickly began cooperating with the FBI, her attorney Paul Norris said today.

A criminal complaint alleged Lima and another Hamilton woman visited a Nutley doctor at least twice and obtained painkillers under false pretenses. Those pills were handed over to Giorgianni’s associate Charles Hall III, who would sell them and give the women cash in return, the FBI alleged.

Lima pleaded guilty to one count of information of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. The count carries a prison term of up to 20 years, but she is unlikely to receive such a long sentence. Lima will be sentenced in July.

While Giorgianni pleaded not guilty, Hall took a plea deal with the government and admitted his roles in both the drug case and the alleged corruption scheme. Hall also cooperated with the FBI during the Mack investigation.

Mack has not been implicated in the drug case.

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