Posted on 08/17/2012 2:19:34 PM PDT by rocksandbroncs
State lawmakers today kicked out a West Side Democrat accused of taking a $7,000 bribe, marking the first expulsion from the Illinois House since 1905.
Rep. Derrick Smith failed to show up to defend himself or hear his fellow House lawmakers condemn his alleged actions before the 100-6 vote was taken. Three lawmakers voted present (see roll call here). [...] The disciplinary action against Smith required the votes of 79 members of the 118-member House. Smith was arrested March 13 by federal agents who alleged he used his office stationery to push for a $50,000 grant for a fictitious operator of a day-care center in exchange for $7,000. Prosecutors said Smith was caught on recordings with a federal informant as the deal was struck and cash was counted.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Expelled for STUPIDITY, not the crime. It was the getting caught that caused a problem with his colleagues.
“If anyone’s caught taking graft...
And I don’t get my share
We stand ‘em up against a wall
And POP goes the weasel”
This only happened because the Feds were watching. Who knows how many other dirty deals are done daily.
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