New Jersey Ex-Lawmaker Pleads Not Guilty to Child Porn Charges

A former New Jersey lawmaker who once headed the state assembly’s key committee on insurance issues has pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges.

Prosecutors say Neil Cohen has admitted viewing child porn, but rejected a plea bargain.

A judge says Cohen can remain free without bail, but his freedom comes with conditions. Cohen is not allowed to be around schools or playgrounds, use the Internet other than for business or have unsupervised contact with children under 16.

The former assemblyman from Roselle faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of official misconduct and child pornography charges.

Authorities say the Democrat used the computer in his local legislative office to view, print and duplicate images of underage girls engaged in sexual acts.

Cohen resigned from office in June 2008, after allegations of his viewing child porn first surfaced.