State Rep. Derrick Smith's bribery trial won't be delayed for legislative session, judge says

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Wednesday, May 21, 2014
State Rep. Derrick Smith
Former State Rep. Derrick Smith
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A federal judge won't postpone an Illinois lawmaker's bribery trial so he can finish out the legislative session.

State Representative Derrick Smith is accused of taking a $7,000 bribe. His trial is set to start May 28, but the General Assembly isn't scheduled to wrap up until May 31.

Smith had asked to postpone the trial until next month saying there are "significant" pieces of legislation to be voted on.

The judge says he knew about this for months, but only objected now.