DA Seth Williams going to court on federal bribery, corruption charges

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/AP) - Philadelphia's top prosecutor is scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday, where he'll face arraignment on bribery and extortion charges.

Tuesday, District Attorney Seth Williams was indicted on federal bribery and fraud related charges. Authorities had launched an investigation into Williams and his interests back in 2015.

Special agents with the FBI, IRS and Department of Homeland Security announced the charges at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

The grand jury indictment against Williams charges him with more than 20 criminal counts. They include travel and use of interstate facility to promote and facilitate bribery, Hobbs Act extortion, wire fraud, and related charges.

READ MORE: Seth Williams Federal Indictment

Williams was charged with taking more than $160,000 in luxury gifts, Caribbean trips and cash, often in exchange for official favors that included help with a court case, according to a bribery and extortion indictment unsealed Tuesday.

In exchange, authorities said, he offered to help a friend's friend seek a reduced jail sentence in a criminal case run by his office, and took $7,000 for helping a business owner friend meet with an airport police official in an attempt to avoid enhanced screening when returning to the U.S. from foreign trips.

Williams also spent $10,000 from a joint account he shared with a relative meant for the relative's nursing home costs, the indictment said.

Federal authorities launched their investigation into Williams in 2015, questioning his acceptance of certain gifts and favors.

As part of the federal grand jury probe, subpoenas were issued to the political action committee Williams used while running for office.

Last year the investigation expanded into Williams' personal finances, along with the finances of the 'Second Chance Foundation' charity he started in 2011.

Williams, who began his term as District Attorney in 2010, was fined by the city's Board of Ethics as a result of the ethics violations connected to the acceptance of gifts.

Williams failed to disclose five sources of income and 89 gifts on financial statements from 2010 through 2015 and omitted 10 items on an amended statement. The gifts also included sideline passes for Philadelphia Eagles games for several years, nearly $21,000 in free airfare and a $6,500 Rolex watch from a girlfriend.

At the same time, he led a high-profile prosecution of Philadelphia lawmakers who had taken cash or jewelry, valued at perhaps a few thousand dollars, from an informant.

State laws require public officials to file annual reports and list gifts over $250. City officials cannot take anything worth more than $99 from anyone with an interest in any "official action." Federal bribery laws typically involve a "quid pro quo," or evidence the person got something in exchange for the gift.

MORE: DA Seth Williams announces he won't run for re-election

Williams apologized, vowing to win back the trust of Philadelphians.

Back in February, Williams announced that he would not seek a third-term in the Democratic primaries this May.

"After devoting more than 20 years of service to the city that I love and grew up in, as an assistant District Attorney, and as the Inspector General, and now as the District Attorney, I have made the very difficult decision not to seek re-election to a third term as the District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia," Williams said at the time..

Williams grew up in Philadelphia and served as student president of Pennsylvania State University. He also teaches at a law school and serves in the National Guard.

Williams attorney says he will vigorously defend himself against the charges. He vehemently denied that Williams ever took any action to affect a criminal case in his office.

Williams faces 5-20 years if convicted. Federal officials say this was Williams acting alone and the integrity of the DA's office was not impacted. Williams has been tight-lipped about the probe since spending came under the microscope. He will appear in federal court to face the charges on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the District Attorney's office released this statement when asked for comment:

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office does not have any comment at this time. The DA is not in the office today because he is spending time with his family. I ask that you respect his privacy and the privacy of the men and women of the office so all of us can continue to do our jobs without the distraction of additional media attention.

From Rich Negrin, candidate for Philadelphia District Attorney:

"In light of his decision to not seek re-election, it comes as no great surprise that Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has been officially indicted. I would urge him to now resign from office. As I've said before, I had high hopes for Seth when he was first elected, as so many in the city did, but those high hopes were not met. It's a sad day when someone with such promise is brought down by bad decisions. Resigning now would allow the city and the district attorney's office to move forward. I believe we should aspire to nothing less than a national model of criminal justice reform and integrity in the DA's office. I look forward to leading the office into a new era of excellence that prioritizes a community-driven approach, erasing lines of division, and working collaboratively toward a shared vision for a stronger, safer city."

From Michael Untermeyer, candidate for Philadelphia District Attorney:

From Tariq El-Shabazz, candidate for Philadelphia District Attorney:

Chancellor Deborah R. Gross of the Philadelphia Bar Association:

"This is a sad day for the citizens of Philadelphia. It is imperative that DA Williams resign from his position immediately to maintain the integrity of, and restore the public's confidence in, our justice system.
"The charges against him cast a shadow on the District Attorney's Office, our legal community and the entire City of Philadelphia. It truly is an embarrassment.
"Our District Attorney is the chief prosecutor in the City of Philadelphia. Such unethical behavior is unacceptable. Therefore, we call for his immediate resignation."