Jurors begin Waltz deliberations [Roscoe Dixon "needed" the money]

AP ^ | 6/7/6 | WOODY BAIRD

[SmithL]

MEMPHIS — A federal jury started deliberating Wednesday to decide whether a former Tennessee senator was guilty of bribery and extortion in a public corruption case.

Memphis Democrat Roscoe Dixon is the first state lawmaker to go to trial in the Tennessee Waltz case.

He’s among five current or former state lawmakers charged with taking payoffs from E-Cycle Management, a fake FBI company that offered bribes to state and local officials across Tennessee.

Dixon is charged with taking $9,500 in bribes to push for a change in state law E-Cycle supposedly wanted to gain a business advantage.

Testifying in his own defense, Dixon acknowledged taking $2,500 from two former friends who testified against him, but he denied the money was to pay for his influence.

Dixon had denied receiving that money when questioned about it by the FBI before his indictment.

In his trial testimony, he described taking the money, which was supplied by E-Cycle as gifts, and said he had been confused about having gotten it when questioned by the FBI.

The trial began May 30.

[Tees Mom]

Hi LSmith, this is Cheryl from East Tn.

The weather here is beyond spectacular..this scandal rocked the Dems...Cannot see an Algore moment.

Tees Mom

[SmithL]

Cannot see an Algore moment.

It's all Bush's fault.
; )

[Coldwater Creek]

We have a new scandal in Memphis now.

When the Fed Ex Forum was built, federal money from the transportation dept. was given for a sixth floor and something else that I can not remember in the parking garage.

Was never built, and the money has been traced to the Mayor's office. Hmmmmmm