Dec 10, 2008 6:01 pm US/Eastern
Turner: FBI Photo May Not Be Me
Wilkerson & Turner Both Plead Not-Guilty At Arraignment
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The FBI released this surveillance photos which, they say, shows Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner accepting a $1,000 bribe.
Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, who pleaded not-guilty in court Wednesday to bribery and conspiracy charges, told the Associated Press he never accepted $1,000 from a constituent, and that federal prosecutors may have faked a grainy photo that allegedly shows him accepting a cash bribe.
Turner said he has not had a chance to study the evidence against him, but has no memory of meeting a businessman.
He would not elaborate outside the courthouse after his arraignment. His attorney, Barry Wilson, asked about the suggestion the photo is a fake, said, "I think it's a good idea. How are we to know it's not that? Why do they need a picture that says 'cash' with an arrow? I don't know what the picture shows. All I know is my client didn't take any money in exchange for anything."
The picture in question, released by the FBI, shows Turner allegedly accepting $1,000 from a local businessman in return for his help in obtaining a liquor license.
Wednesday's court appearance came one day after Turner and former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson were indicted on
conspiracy charges. Wilkerson and Turner were arraigned together in U.S. District Court.
Turner pleaded not-guilty to all charges against him. Wilkerson, who has also maintained her innocence, pleaded not-guilty to the additional charge against her.
The two are accused of being co-conspirators in a scheme to accept bribes in exchange for helping a local businessman obtain a liquor license.
The U.S. Attorney had no comment on the suggestion the photo may have been doctored. Turner's attorney also suggested his client may have been set up because he has been fighting for the oppressed and down-trodden and "some people have axes to grind."
The conspiracy charge against Wilkerson came one day after she
pleaded not guilty to eight counts of attempted extortion accusing her of accepting a total of $23,500 in bribes to help get the license for the nightclub.
Neither Wilkerson, nor her attorney, had any comment Wednesday.
Turner was also indicted on one charge of attempted extortion, and three counts of giving false statement to FBI agents in the ongoing corruption probe at the Massachusetts State House and Boston City Hall.
Read The Wilkerson Criminal Complaint
Read The Turner Criminal Complaint
Tuesday night, Turner told supporters at Roxbury Community College that they shouldn't go to court as if they were victims. "You know the difference between a victim and a winner? The difference between a victim and a winner – a victim doesn't fight back."
If convicted, Wilkerson could face up to 20 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each of the nine charges.
Turner faces up to 20 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each of the extortion and conspiracy charges. He also faces up to five years imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each of the three charges of making false statements.
During Turner's interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, he said he would not resign from office and predicted that he would not spend a day in jail.
Ron Sanders contributed to this report.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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