Former State Rep. Derrick Smith, of Chicago, told the FBI that he "f---ed up" in taking a $7,000 bribe in exchange for writing a letter of support for a daycare center looking to get a $50,000 state grant.
According to court papers filed Monday evening, Smith said he was "going crazy" about his lackluster campaign funds, explaining that the bribe money was “all about getting money to put back out on the streets in the hands of his campaign workers.”
After his arrest, Smith spoke to FBI agents for three hours without an attorney present, waiving his right to remain silent. “At numerous times during the interview, Smith stated ‘I f - - - ed up’ and said that he should never have written a letter for the daycare,” notes the report.
Smith also took FBI agents back to his home following his arrest and handed over $2,500 of the bribe money that he had hidden in his bedroom.
Smith's attorney has argued that his client's comments should not be made available to jurors, saying the statements were made as part of "plea negotiations."
But prosecutors are countering those claims, arguing that Smith “was engaged in a standard law enforcement interview and knew well that his statements could be used against him.”
The judge, U.S. District Judge Sharon Coleman, has not announced a decision on that issue as of yet.
Smith's trial is set to begin May 28.
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