CHICAGO (AP) — A federal prosecutor says his office would have been “grossly negligent” had it not conducted the investigation of an Illinois lawmaker that led to the Chicago Democrat’s conviction for bribery and attempted extortion.
First assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Shapiro spoke Tuesday in Chicago shortly after jurors returned with guilty verdicts against Rep. Derrick Smith on all counts.
After a weeklong trial, jurors found Smith took a $7,000 bribe from a day care center seeking a state grant. It was all part of a sting after an informant came to authorities allegations that Smith was willing to take money for legislative action.
Defense lawyers say the campaign worker-turned-informant hoodwinked Smith. And they allege the informant and an overzealous FBI “fabricated” a crime Smith didn’t intend to commit.
