Jan 10, 2007 7:06 pm US/Central
Ald. Troutman Returns To Work After Monday Arrest
Troutman Reportedly Referred To Colleagues As "Hos"
by Derrick Blakley
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Ald. Arenda Troutman was arrested Monday for allegedly taking bribes.
CBS
In a surprise move Chicago alderman Arenda Troutman went back to work Wednesday, just two days after federal authorities filed corruption charges against her.
CBS 2'S Derrick Blakley reports on what was no ordinary day at the office.
With a cloud of federal bribery charges hanging over her, 20th Ward Ald. Arenda Troutman showed up for work Wednesday at City Hall, attending a finance committee hearing.
But she had nothing to say to say in her defense, no words of explanation to her constituents.
"I would certainly like to say something at this time. I can't. I've been instructed by my lawyers not to say anything. But I certainly would like to say something," Troutman said.
Troutman did exchange pleasantries with several aldermen, including with Latasha Thomas (17th) who asked about Troutman's family.
"I feel for Arenda and her family, especially her kids, the three boys. But we've got to keep on moving and doing our jobs," Thomas said.
Other colleagues were far less charitable about Troutman's reported characterization of all aldermen as "hos," or prostitutes, a statement allegedly caught on tape.
"It's real unfortunate and its something that really kind of makes you...sickens you," said Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th).
Before leaving the hearing, Troutman told Ald. Bernie Stone (49th), the "ho" statement wasn't hers, contending she only repeated what a lawyer once told her.
And, though Troutman alone was charged, Ald. Fredrenna Lyle (6th) said its a distraction for them all.
"It reopens this box that people have about all politicians, that all politicians are crooks and this just make people say, we told you they're all crooks," Lyle said.
Perhaps in an effort to lessen that distraction for herself and her colleagues, Troutman has scheduled a news conference before Thursday's full council meeting.
Despite the allegations, there is every indication Troutman intends to remain on the ballot, and in the race, to retain her aldermanic seat in next month's primary.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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