Illinois House expels Rep. Derrick Smith over bribery charge

Clout Street ^ | 2:17 p.m. CDT, August 17, 2012 | Ray Long and Annie Sweeney

[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.

[null and void]

Odd. Once again the Democrat part affiliation of a perp is mentioned in the first sentence!

[aimhigh]

Makes one wonder who wanted to replace him.

[Conscience of a Conservative]

State lawmakers today kicked out a West Side Democrat accused of taking a $7,000 bribe

The Illinois House kicked him out for that? What, was the bribe too small?

[Red_Devil 232]

For some reason I knew he would be Black.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Welcome to Free Republic.

https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/

[GraceG]

“Rep. Derrick Smith” this leads some to read this as “Republican Derrick Smith”....

[Terry Mross]

Since 1905? Well, they had a good run.

[wastedyears]

I bet they’re doing it, because a), the bribe is too small, and b), because he was inattentive enough to get caught.

[wastedyears]

For some reason I knew he would be Black.

[SunkenCiv]

Effin’ Teaparty racism! /s

Thanks rocksandbroncs.

[oh8eleven]

Derrick Smith
Democrat
Illinois

[xrmusn]

In view of he evidence, vote etc, hard to believe he had 9 supporters.....

[oh8eleven]

The dems typically only go after black dems on corruption charges it seems.
You mean, just like in the real world where blacks are "typically" over-represented in prisons?

[oh8eleven]

They always throw a black guy under the bus.
Show me the list ...

[mellow velo]

The 6 who voted against expulsion - Monique Davis, DeLuca, Flowers, Mayfield, Turner, & Yarbrough - must really be people of upstanding character. /s

I wonder how closely allied with Obama they are?!

[Zeppelin]

Kwame