May.17, 2010, 5:10AM

Attorneys are expected to deliver closing arguments today in the corruption trial of former state Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt who is accused of taking a $10,000 to help a developer obtain permit approvals.

Prosecutors have contended the ex-lawmaker and former Ocean Township mayor and committeeman took the bribe from a government informant posing as a fictitious developer looking to do business in the Ocean County community last year. That informant, convicted real estate developer Solomon Dwek, testified during the trial in U.S. District Court in Trenton that he paid Van Pelt to help smooth environmental permits for a fictitious project.

Van Pelt, who denies the allegations, contends the payment was a consultant's fee for work he planned to do on Dwek's behalf. He testified the money was a retainer for helping a developer who had difficulty navigating the early stages of the planning process.

Federal prosecutors are expected to argue that Van Pelt was not engaged in consulting work despite his attorneys presenting witnesses last week who testified he discussed with them his plans to become a consultant after leaving the township committee Feb. 28, 2009.

As in their opening arguments, defense attorneys are expected to attack the credibility of Dwek, who they called a "master manipulator'' who is willing to lie to reduce his time in prison.

Dwek began secretly working with the federal government after he was arrested in 2006 on charges of defrauding PNC Bank out of $50 million. He pleaded guilty to fraud and misconduct in October but has not yet been sentenced.

Van Pelt told jurors he discussed his plans with Hochman who he said told him he could do consulting work as long as he did not introduce any legislation that benefited his clients and he did not represent his client before any state agency or board. He said he told Hochman he had a client who gave him a retainer.

But on the witness stand last week, that attorney, Marci Hochman, general ethics counsel to the state Assembly, said Van Pelt did not advise her he had a client and he mentioned nothing about a retainer. She said she would have delved deeper into the arrangement, including having him submit a proposed consultant's contract, if Van Pelt gave her that information.

Van Pelt said his assistance for environmental permits was not necessary because Ocean Township had attained a special designation from the state that streamlined the permitting process for its redevelopment area known as the town center.