A federal judge refused to delay the trial start date against a former Democratic congressman who is facing federal tax charges and claims to be unable to return to Chicago from South Africa.
Former representative of Illinois’ 2nd congressional district, Mel Reynolds, 64, had asked U.S. District Judge John Darrah to push back his May 2 trial because he is caring for his 23-year-old daughter who has scoliosis and possibly cervical cancer.
Reynolds, who is free on bond, wrote an open letter to the court on Thursday asking the judge “to show some compassion and understanding” because he did not intend to return to the U.S. for the trial regarding his failure to file income tax returns from 2009 to 2012.
“Maybe another parent could walk away from their child now, but I can’t, that is why I will not be in Chicago today,” Reynolds wrote. “I need to stay here with my daughter for the time being to help her through this extremely critical time in her young life.”
Darrah responded by issuing an arrest warrant for Reynolds following his return to the U.S. effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, but did not say whether he will be extradited from Africa.
It’s not Mel Reynolds’ first legal dilemma. In 1995, he resigned from Congress after being convicted of statutory rape of a minor who had worked on his campaign.
