A federal district judge had harsh words for the prosecution Wednesday as the trial of a former government employee charged with bribery and extortion reaches its conclusion.
Judge Reggie Walton said that it had not been conclusively shown that Ikela Dean had accepted bribes when she charged several businesses cash in addition to their previously billed fees to renew the licenses.
Specifically, the discussion focused on a $750 late fee Dean demanded of a club, despite the fact that there was already a $150 late fee on the bill. Defense attorney Antoini Jones claimed the additional late fee applied to outstanding charges from the 2005-2007 registration period, while the $150 was incurred for the 2007-2009 registration period.
Judge Walton said the fact that the witness who testified on behalf of the club admitted the added fees were owed will make it difficult for the prosecutor, Lionel Andre, to convince the jury the charge was not made on behalf of the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs.
“I just don’t see how that’s covered by these statutes,” Walton said. Closing arguments in the case are scheduled for this morning.
