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It ain’t easy

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Illinois

State Rep. Derrick Smith referred to himself as a “pimp” in secretly recorded conversations, his lawyers have revealed.

But Smith — who won re-election to his West Side seat last year despite being indicted on bribery charges — says he used the word “pimping” to describe the good work he does for his constituents, not because he has any connection to the illegal sex trade.

He wants a judge to ban prosecutors from playing the recording for jurors when he stands trial in the bribery case in January. […]

Smith made “the reference as an analogy to the hard grass-roots work he puts in on the street, canvassing and visiting the public in his attempt to gain the support of voters in his district,” Smith’s attorney Vic Henderson wrote.

“There is no evidence whatsoever that the defendant is a pimp or even tangentially involved in pimping,” Henderson added. “Evidence that the defendant used ‘pimping’ as a metaphor for pounding the pavement in his district is not relevant to the jury’s deliberations in this case.”

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:36 pm

Comments

“Language to convey a direct message - a lost art”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:41 pm
I like how he thinks that this is what is going to doom him in the eyes of a jury.

Comment by MEP Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:47 pm
While I highly doubt that Rep Smith is involved in the sex trafficing industry, his choice of words could cause him a world of hurt, especially if he gets a predominately suburban jury. In his own district, the response to all of it is probably meh!!

Comment by train111 Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:48 pm
I’m Sure he can take the stand and explain his version of pimping.

Comment by Fed up Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:48 pm
I was going to make a comment about the difficulty of what he commented on, but….

Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:52 pm
“the reference as an analogy to the hard grass-roots work he puts in on the street, canvassing and visiting the public…”

I’m sure all hard working pimps feel the same.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:52 pm
Is this the attorney the same Victor Henderson who is counsel to the embattled Chicago State University President Wayne Watson who hired Henderson’s wife for a CSU administrative position above her pay grade?

Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:56 pm
If this is his legal argument to get the tapes excluded from trial… Good luck with that.

Comment by LittleLebowskiUrbanAchiever Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 12:57 pm
Has anyone consulted Snoop Lion as a guest analyst? Perhaps he could be an expert witness in the trial and make the final call on Derrick Smith’s pimp status. Just saying….

Comment by John A Logan Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:04 pm
Must. Not. Laug-BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

Comment by Northsider Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:06 pm
=== an analogy to the hard grass-roots work he puts in on the street, canvassing and visiting the public in his attempt to gain the support of voters in his district ===

Even if we grant Rep. Smith his interpretation of being a “pimp”, three things remain clear:

“Pimpin’ ain’t easy” - Big Daddy Kane & Ice-T
“Pimps” take cash. No checks or credit cards.
His actions while “pimping” are dubious in nature.

Welp, good luck in that bribery trial, Mr. Smith.

And should you develop anxiety or feel nervous in the face of possible prison time, remember to always “keep the pimp hand strong”.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:08 pm
It’s hard to be a pimp, I mean, an elected official.

I’m pretty sure a jury could figure out that Rep. Smith was referring to prostituting his office. And not exactly in an ingenious way, I might add.

Back to the days of the U.S. Attorney shooting fish in a barrel: “Talk into the potted plant, please….”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:12 pm
definition of the day ….pimping…

Tomorrow we will define the word ‘is’

Comment by plutocrat03 Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:17 pm
@John

To be fair to Snoop this isn’t his territory. All pimping in the Chi is blessed by the Bishop Don Magic Juan

Comment by Farker Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:21 pm
I was going to make a comment. After rereading the red lines at the bottom page I might better pass.

Comment by Bemused Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:27 pm
The whole case turns on this line. Um, no it doesn’t. He’s about to meet a few pimps down the road. To quote Lloyd Bentsen: Mr. Smith, I know pimps. Pimps are friends of mine…you are no pimp.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:41 pm
So does that mean that if you “pimp your ride” you’re actually using it at the grassroots level to help out your constituents?

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 1:44 pm
It’s proud moments like this that make people want to be members of the Democrat party.

Comment by Steve Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 2:05 pm
Steve, Smith is a real big hitter in the Democratic Party. Not like those small fry like Cellini and Levine.

And that “Democrat” thing is an insult, right? Some kind of code?

Got no game.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 2:11 pm
How did this joker get re-elected again?

Comment by Levois Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 2:16 pm
=It’s proud moments like this that make people want to be members of the Democrat party. =

*snips the thread and adds it to a newly-formed collection, which will be researched more thoroughly once ILGOP are entirely successful in reposessing the laminated “Member” card they once sent*

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 2:22 pm
If I take off my shoes and use my hands and toes I won’t be able to count all the times lobbyists jokingly refer to themselves as a pejoritive word for working women and that lobbyists representing their interests are just arguing over price..

My point

Are we raising the bar by suggesting conversations that include metaphors are meaningful in a legal context

I guess we all need to stop using them

Lets hold judgement on this news story and wait for evidenece and a jury

What’s ten lawyers at the bootom of the sea….

Comment by Frankly Speaking Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 2:47 pm
Its always payday.For a thousand i will think about your problem.For five thousand i will try real hard.For ten thousand i will make your problem go a away

Comment by fake county chairman Monday, Nov 18, 13 @ 5:43 pm