Lawmaker Charged With Bribery Wins Back Congressional Seat
By: Michael C. Fehn
Updated: November 7, 2012
CHICAGO (AP) -- A Chicago Democrat who was ejected from the Illinois House of Representatives because of a federal bribery charge has won his seat back.
Derrick Smith refused to take his name off the ballot after federal prosecutors claimed he accepted a $7,000 cash bribe in an FBI sting in exchange for what he thought was a letter of support for a daycare center's state grant application. He has pleaded not guilty.
Smith defeated 10th District Unity candidate Lance Tyson yesterday. Tyson had the support of regular Democrats -- including an endorsement from Gov. Pat Quinn -- who had abandoned Smith after his March.
The Democratic-controlled House ejected Smith in August, but the Illinois Constitution prohibits expelling a lawmaker more than once for the same offense.
Derrick Smith refused to take his name off the ballot after federal prosecutors claimed he accepted a $7,000 cash bribe in an FBI sting in exchange for what he thought was a letter of support for a daycare center's state grant application. He has pleaded not guilty.
Smith defeated 10th District Unity candidate Lance Tyson yesterday. Tyson had the support of regular Democrats -- including an endorsement from Gov. Pat Quinn -- who had abandoned Smith after his March.
The Democratic-controlled House ejected Smith in August, but the Illinois Constitution prohibits expelling a lawmaker more than once for the same offense.
Comments
How stupid can Blacks be to vote in this crook again????
John J.
November 8, 2012 at 10:22 am
