Indicted lawmaker appeals to House to keep seat
CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois state representative under federal indictment on bank fraud charges is urging his House colleagues to reserve judgment and allow him to continue to serve.
Chicago Democrat La Shawn Ford was indicted Thursday.
Prosecutors say he made false statements to a bank to get a $500,000 increase on a line of credit. They allege he told the bank he would use the money to rehabilitate investment properties but instead used it for expenses like car loans, credit cards, casino payments and for his 2006 campaign for state representative.
Ford says he's innocent. He filed a House Resolution Friday asking fellow legislators to remain neutral on the matter.
Earlier this year, the Legislature expelled another House member under federal indictment, though he won his seat back in November's elections.
