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* UPDATED x2 - He showed up* Rep. Derrick Smith expected to be back in Springfield today

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*** UPDATE 2 *** He showed up and refused to answer questions…

In response to questions, Smith repeatedly declined to answer, instead telling reporters to talk with his lawyer.

He was asked: Were you pleased by your reception?

“No comments,” Smith said.

Do you believe you’re innocent?

“No comments,” he said.

Do you intend to be here every day through the end of the session?

“No comments,” he said.

What do you think about the House contemplating your expulsion?

“No comment,” he said.

Do you intend to testify at the committee if you’re asked?

“No comments,” he said.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Nope…

House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office Tuesday morning confirmed that indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) won’t be returning to the Illinois House anytime soon despite an assurance from Smith’s lawyer to the contrary.

“I don’t believe he’s going to come back this week,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said. “Let’s just leave it at that without me saying how I know.”

Brown would not divulge any other information except to say he was unaware of an illness or any other extenuating circumstance affecting Smith that might normally keep a state legislator from making the trip to Springfield.

Told of Brown’s comments, Smith lawyer Victor Henderson Tuesday stuck to his story from last week that his client, in fact, intends to return to work — though unlike last week, Henderson left himself wiggle room.

“That’s not my understanding,” Smith’s lawyer said when told of Brown’s prediction of a week-long absence by the lawmaker. “But I could be wrong.”

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* I checked with his Stratton Bldg. office and was told that Rep. Smith is expected to arrive in Springfield today, but that there is no hard confirmation as of yet. NBC5…

State Rep. Derrick Smith (D - Chicago) heads back to work Tuesday in Springfield after being indicted on a federal bribery charge

Smith has vowed to stay on the job despite accusations he allegedly accepted a $7,000 bribe from undercover officers.

Thoughts on this?

* Meanwhile, Rep. Smith’s lawyer reiterated his claim that Smith won’t resign…

State Rep. Derrick Smith, D-Chicago, charged with accepting a bribe, has no plans to resign his seat, his lawyer said Monday.

“We’re encouraging people to watch the information come out,” said Victor Henderson, the Chicago attorney who represents Smith. “The state and the Legislature would do well to wait and not rush to judgment.” […]

Henderson and Smith’s other lawyer, Samuel Adam, suggested federal investigators are using Smith’s case to investigate potential wrongdoing by other government officials, although Henderson wouldn’t identify anyone.

“All we know is that they asked him about other high-ranking public officials,” Henderson said. “He did not respond to those requests.”

* Smith’s arraignment hearing date was set yesterday…

State Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) is set to formally answer his indictment on bribery charges later this month.

Smith’s arraignment in federal court is scheduled for April 30, according to the federal court docket.

Last week, a lawyer representing the lawmaker said Smith would not step down from his post despite calls to do so by leading Democratic officials. “He’s going to plead not guilty, there’s no vacillation about that,” defense lawyer Victor Henderson said.

Smith’s case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 10:35 am

Comments

“We asked Rep. Smith, as a General Assembly, to take any and all meetings in a Sauna Room we set up for him as his new office. We welcome him back with open arms …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 10:45 am
“Each caucus is responsible for having their own Legal Counsel present during conversations with Rep. Smith. Failure to comply will result in conversations at your own, and your caucus’ own, risk.”

“All cameras, videos, and recording devices aimed at Rep. Smith or his colleagues sitting next to him, are strictly prohibited, unless they have a label, ‘Property of the US Attorney’, by which we remind you all to take cover.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 10:53 am
DEMS RESIGNED TO FACT; SMITH TO RETURN TO HOUSE

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 10:58 am
Rep. Smith, table for one.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 10:58 am
A shunning is coming.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 11:39 am
Will this opera never end?

Comment by mark walker Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 11:40 am
So I guess that’s another $132 per session day that Illinois can use to pay down the backlog of bills. Thanks Rep. Smith!

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 12:19 pm
===“I don’t believe he’s going to come back this week,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said. “Let’s just leave it at that without me saying how I know.”===

“Plausable deniability” - someone made Smith and “offer he couldn’t refuse”, codename “Cannoli”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 12:19 pm
REP SMITH DECIDES TO AVOID SESSION AFTER FRESH ORDER OF ENVELOPES IS NIXED

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 12:21 pm
ABSENTEE VOTING? SMITH’S RETURN UNCERTAIN

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 12:26 pm
Conventional wisdom is you want to get your defendent out in public instead of sitting in a bunker like a man with something to hide.

Of course, leaving your bunker to face the lions in front of 12 million spectators, when everybody is rooting for the lions…

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 12:43 pm
Rep Smith was indeed elected by the people to represent them. Why is there so much fodder because he is doing what the people elected him to do which was to represent them in Springfield. Also this is the United States where people are innocent until proven guilty or does the State of Illinois have a different set of laws for it’s residents!!!!

Comment by Carmen Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:11 pm
Perhaps now that he is going to return to work after an arrest he can appoint Roland Burris to something.

Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:22 pm
Maybe after reading the Blog today he’s decided to leave and take a vacation up in Wisconsin.

Comment by AARP IL Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:25 pm
Suntimes is reporting he did show up now.

Comment by Lincoln Parker Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:37 pm
DIRECT DEPOSIT? SMITH COLLECTS CHECK FROM HOME

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:40 pm
NO FATTED CALF AS PRODIGALSON RETURNS

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:52 pm
Sorry, the last two were mine … full disclosure

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:55 pm
Well there goes the Derrick Smith per diem savings plan to reduce the deficit.

No comments.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 1:55 pm
“NO COMMENTS” SPEAK VOLUMES - SMITH RETURNS

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 2:04 pm
@Carmen - He was appointed to fill a vacancy and he was nominated to run in the next general election, but he has not yet been elected.

Comment by Elo Kiddies Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 2:23 pm
Don’t know anything about the man except what I have read here. Innocent until proven guilty-thought the legislators were pulling the trigger awfully quick. He showed up, which is what he was elected to do. “No comment” is the right response when you are facing criminal charges, even though he may be carrying it a bit far.
Have no problems with the comments here, he is a big boy in the public eye, but he won’t be news again until he goes to court or does something stupid in public.

Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 2:34 pm
Rep. Smith should start drafting some really strict ethics legislation just for fun.

Comment by Robert Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 3:36 pm
“House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office Tuesday morning confirmed that indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) won’t be returning to the Illinois House anytime soon despite an assurance from Smith’s lawyer to the contrary.”

The $7,000 bribe was small potatoes. Showing up the Speaker….that’s a serious crime that will bring punishment.

Comment by El Conquistador Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 3:41 pm
REP. DERRICK SMITH MAKES STEVE BROWN LOOK IGNORANT
{“I don’t believe he’s going to come back this week,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said. “Let’s just leave it at that without me saying how I know.”}

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 5:25 pm
WOW !! He gets to face the same guys (leaders) that used him, and now are trying to get rid of him. Seems maybe Fitzgerald told Smith, “lets see who sticks by your side when you need it most”. I bet the Dem. Party has some concerns, as Im sure this will be opening up some of pandoras box. Was Madigan concerned that Smith was in session ? Is Jesse White concerned Smith was in session? Is Steve Brown being set up deliberitly to look like a Chumblone? There is much much more to this, the day after he is used to get elected they swarm for his resignation. Was that the right thing to do, show your hand to Smith, then he is kicked to the curb after he gets the D seat ? Im shocked the D Party didnt stand by their man !!

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 5:43 pm
WOW !! He gets to face the same guys (leaders) that used him, and now are trying to get rid of him. Seems maybe Fitzgerald told Smith, “lets see who sticks by your side when you need it most”. I bet the Dem. Party has some concerns, as Im sure this will be opening up some of pandoras box. Was Madigan concerned that Smith was in session ? Is Jesse White concerned Smith was in session? Is Steve Brown being set up deliberitly to look like a Chumblone? There is much much more to this, the day after he is used to get elected they swarm for his resignation. Was that the right thing to do, show your hand to Smith, then he is kicked to the curb after he gets the D seat ? Im shocked the D Party didnt stand by their man !!

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 17, 12 @ 5:43 pm
Elo Kiddies - I guess the trouncing he gave Republican Tom swiss on March 20th does not account for anything in your eyes!!! The people of the 10th District have spoken that Rep Smith is their choice!!

While I am at it,it really amazes me how some elected officials have decided to ride upon their “moral high horse” and denounce Rep Smith. Well, I bet if you follow them around, you will find out just how “moral” they are. “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”

Comment by Carmen Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:32 am