A Chicago lawmaker facing federal bribery charges delivered his first testimony to House investigators today, saying he intends to clear his name in court and keep his job.
Rep. Derrick Smith, a Democrat from the West Side, said he has been “accused but not convicted” by federal authorities and won his March primary despite the charge.
“The people in my district did not quit on me, and I will not quit on them,” Smith said, reading a statement to the House special committee investigating his case. “In the same way the people in the district didn’t abandon me, I will not abandon them.”
Smith faces possible censure, reprimand or expulsion. The investigative panel that convened today could eventually bring his case before the full House.
Smith is the first House probe since then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was investigated and impeached following his December 2008 arrest on corruption charges. The House also investigated a Supreme Court justice, James Heiple, in the 1990s. He remained on the bench.
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Smith won the primary with the endorsement of Democrats who urged constituents to vote for him to keep the seat in Democratic hands. Many of those officials believed Smith would decide to pull his name from the ballot and give up his seat.
But he has said he plans to stay in place. “I intend to fight this charge and clear my name,” Smith said.
Smith’s attorney said the lawmaker does not intend to plead guilty.