Sting Defendant Who Claims Racial Targeting Due In Court Today
By Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A hearing is scheduled later this morning for a state lawmaker charged in a sting investigation that recorded Philadelphia elected officials accepting money.
Two other defendants entered guilty pleas on Monday, but the attorney for Representative Louise Bishop says he'll show a judge that black legislators were targeted in the probe.
The sting investigation was resurrected by Philadelphia DA Seth Williams after Attorney General Kathleen Kane shut it down, citing, in part, an allegation that only black political figures were targeted. As he seeks to have the case dismissed, Charles Peruto Jr. -- the attorney for Philadelphia Democratic Representative Louise Bishop – says he'll present evidence that the attorney general was correct:
"Because this is a contest between Kathleen Kane and Seth Williams… not a case about Commonwealth versus Louise Bishop."
Peruto has issued subpoenas to Williams and others in the Philadelphia DAs office. Assistant DA Mark Gilson calls Peruto's allegations "frivolous:"
"I mean, me personally, I welcome the hearing. I want there to be a hearing."
Gilson believes a hearing will put the allegations of racial targeting to rest for good.
