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State Rep. Derrick Smith Convicted Of Taking Bribe

An Illinois lawmaker was found guilty Tuesday of taking a $7,000 bribe. 

Federal authorities say State Rep. Derrick Smith, a Chicago Democrat, took the bribe in exchange for supporting a daycare center’s application for state money.

The FBI secretly recorded Smith with the help of an informant who helped arrange the bribe. Smith’s defense attorney says the informant pushed the bribe. He says Smith wouldn’t have sought it out.

Smith sat stone-faced in the courtroom as jurors read their verdict. Afterward he told reporters he didn’t know why he was singled out by the FBI

"We gave it a good fight. It’s God’s will. God knows the truth about it all," Smith said, "and the jurors just didn’t see what God saw, but we’re OK."

Smith, who represents Chicago’s west side, now must vacate his seat in Springfield. But he already was on his way out after he was defeated in the 10th Illinois House District Democratic primary earlier this year.

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