Another former New Jersey elected official is now heading to prison for corruption.

Former Keyport Mayor John Merla pleaded guilty Wednesday to extorting a $2,500 bribe from an undercover informant posing as a contractor. Merla admitted the money was in return for helping the contractor obtain a $36,200 contract. At his court hearing, Merla acknowledged he took payments from the informant and undercover FBI agents on three other occasions from September 2003 to November 2004.

Merla, 45, was among a dozen officials snared by the undercover sting ?Operation Bid Rig? in Monmouth County in February 2005. Many have pleaded guilty, along with several contractors. Despite his arrest, Merla refused to resign and left office when his term expired at the end of 2006.

Under terms of his plea bargain, Merla faces 24 months to 30 months in federal prison. Merla was only charged with one bribery count. The other charges, including conspiracy, will be dropped. Merla is set to be sentenced on May 8.