A Chicago state representative who was arrested by federal authorities last week on bribery charges was victorious in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, according to Reuters.
Federal prosecutors charged Rep. Derrick Smith with accepting a $7,000 dollar bribe, but the lawmaker’s legal troubles didn’t stop Chicago Democratic leaders from throwing their support behind him.
WBEZ reports:
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and other members of the group West Side Black Elected Officials said on Sunday that voters shouldn't rush to judgment on Smith's guilt.
"We know that our colleague is charged with criminal activity, Davis said at a press conference outside the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. "But we also know that a charge is not a conviction."
Reuters notes that "Smith was indicted by a grand jury, arrested, and freed on bond. He has yet to enter a plea in the case. If convicted, Smith could face a maximum of ten years in prison."