Jun 20, 2007 5:54 pm US/Central
Prosecutors Want More Charges Against Troutman
Former Alderman Is Charged With Accepting Bribe From Developer
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Former Ald. Arenda Troutman (File)
CBS
Prosecutors are seeking additional charges and plan to charge more defendants in the bribery case against former Ald. Arenda Troutman.
The former 20th Ward alderman was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment that charges her with one count of bribery. She pleaded not guilty in federal court before U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo.
As CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports, in an unusual move, Troutman brought her children to court. Rarely do defendants bring their children to federal court, but passing through the metal detector before their mother were Troutman's three boys, ages six to nine.
The alarm went off when the former alderman, who is accused of accepting bribes, stepped through. Her children were forced to witness an awkward scene as their mother was checked by a security guard.
Troutman's attorney was asked if the children were brought to court as an attempt to solicit sympathy from the judge.
"There was no point in sympathy here," said attorney Sam Adam Jr. "Her bond was not going to change. Whether her children were here or not she was going to say to them, to you, to the world, she's innocent of these charges."
Adam told CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker he did not know what the new charges would be.
Troutman was arrested in January and was voted out of the City Council the following month.
The indictment charged Troutman with one count of bribery. It alleges that she accepted $5,000 in cash and a $5,000 check made out to the "Twentieth Ward Women's Auxiliary" in exchange for writing a letter to city departments urging access to the alley for the developer.
The developer's name was not disclosed by the government. He was simply referred to as "Individual A." But the indictment said that he was working for the government as part of an investigation.
The auxiliary was part of the ward organization, the indictment said.
In court Wednesday, prosecutors say they intend to bring additional charges and more defendants in the case against Troutman.
"Most likely what happened here is the government has heard things that can sound one way if explained the way they want to explain it," Adam said. "But remember, there's two sides to every coin and every story and we'll produce that in court.
Troutman goes back to court in mid-July when the government is expected to reveal the additional charges.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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