Indicted state rep. returning to Illinois statehouseSPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Derrick Smith, D-Chicago, charged with accepting a bribe, has no plans to resign his seat, his lawyer said Monday.
“We're encouraging people to watch the information come out,” said Victor Henderson, the Chicago attorney who represents Smith. “The state and the Legislature would do well to wait and not rush to judgment.”
A federal grand jury last week indicted Smith on a single federal bribery charge. Several state officials from both parties have called on him to resign. Smith is expected to return Tuesday to the statehouse, when the General Assembly resumes its spring session.
Smith’s arraignment is scheduled for April 30.
Henderson and Smith’s other lawyer, Samuel Adam, suggested federal investigators are using Smith’s case to investigate potential wrongdoing by other government officials, although Henderson wouldn’t identify anyone.
“All we know is that they asked him about other high-ranking public officials,” Henderson said. “He did not respond to those requests.”
Smith is accused of accepting $7,000 in exchange for writing a letter of support for a fictional day care center — set up by federal authorities — that he thought was seeking a $50,000 Early Childhood Construction Grant through the state's Capital Development Board.
|
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Most Popular
54.0 F (12.2 C)
Fair
Pressure
:
1022.8 mb
Humidity
:
80 %
Wind
:
Northeast at 6.9 MPH (6 KT)
What's on FOX Illinois Full Schedule9:00
NewsChannel at 9 on Fox
9:35
Two and a Half Men
10:05
The Big Bang Theory
10:35
Everybody Loves Raymond
11:05
Rules of Engagement
|
