EX ATLANTIC CITY COUNCILMAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO THREATS, TAMPERING CHARGES

ATLANTIC CITY — A former city councilman accused of threatening a witness during a court hearing last year has entered a not guilty plea on charges tied to witness tampering and terroristic threats. Muhammad Zia, 51, appeared in Superior Court this week following his indictment last month. Prosecutors allege he made explicit threats toward a witness during a break in a 2024 civil trial reviewing whether he met Atlantic City’s residency requirements during his campaign. The alleged confrontation happened in the courthouse hallway and led to criminal charges. Zia had been attending the trial to defend his eligibility to hold elected office. His legal team was presented with a plea deal that would carry eight years in prison—three years for the threats, five for tampering—but no agreement was reached. The dispute over Zia’s residency ultimately led to his removal from office. A judge ruled last August that Zia lacked legal residency in Atlantic City, citing the absence of a valid certificate of occupancy and indications he had been living in Egg Harbor Township. That decision disqualified him from representing the 5th Ward. Following his ouster, the seat was temporarily filled by appointment before a special election was held. Republican Maria Lacca won the seat in November. Zia is scheduled to return to court for a status conference on July 10.