State Rep. Bishop Pleads Guilty, Resigns

PHILADELPHIA- WTXF - Pennsylvania State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop has pled guilty to one count of Statement of Financial Interest, and agreed to resign, District Attorney Seth Williams announced.

Bishop had represented Philadelphia in the state House since 1989.

Bishop has agreed to six months of probation, and to pay $1,500 in restitution and $5,000 in prosecution costs. Bishop had been accused of failing to report a gift of $1,500. She becomes the fifth elected official to plead guilty in the investigation brought by Williams.

"The withdrawal of the defense's motion of selective prosecution based on race clearly shows that the investigation and prosecution of these elected officials was never based on race. The plea and subsequent conviction of Ms. Bishop shows that I have done what my office has been charged by the citizens of Philadelphia to do: fight corruption and make this city safe," District Attorney Williams said in a statement.

"Personally, today's announcement has marked the end of a difficult chapter in this special investigation because I've known Rep. Bishop since I was four years old and tremendously respect her and her work as a community leader, elected official, radio personality and member of the clergy, but she did the right thing today by not contesting the facts we presented in court and withdrawing her motion."