Philly DA’s bribery trial may be delayed
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams arrives for his arraignment on bribery and extortion charges at the federal courthouse, Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A lawyer for Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams expects his fast-track bribery trial set for this month to be delayed for several weeks.
After a hearing Thursday, defense lawyer Thomas Burke called new charges added to the case this week “laughable.”
The 50-year-old Williams is charged with promising legal favors in exchange for more than $100,000 in cash, gifts and trips.
The revised indictment Tuesday includes new charges that he spent $4,000 in campaign money on personal expenses after funneling it through a consultant.
Williams had been set to go on trial May 31, just two months after his arrest.
Burke says he is working with prosecutors on a new date as they debate a Supreme Court ruling that narrows the definition of official bribery.
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