No verdict in 2nd day of deliberations in bribery trial of Sen. Emil Jones III

CHICAGO (WGN) — Jury deliberations continued Tuesday in the federal bribery trial of Illinois State Senator Emil Jones III, though jurors didn’t reach a verdict.

The jury raised more than one question on the most serious counts facing the sitting state senator who is on trial for bribery. Federal prosecutors accuse Jones of making false statements to the FBI as well as using emails in aid of racketeering. 

During the two-week trial, prosecutors argued that Jones lied to the FBI and solicited an unlawful $5,000 campaign contribution in exchange for official actions in the Illinois Senate that would benefit the red-light camera company, Safe Speed.

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During the trial, Jones’ defense team pushed back on that narrative, saying the sitting democrat never took a dime of money and was instead set up by the FBI with the help of an FBI mole, former Safe Speed executive Omar Maani. 

Defense attorneys pointed to multiple FBI undercover recordings in which Jones tells Maani to pay instead for food to benefit working families in his district and to help find his intern a job with Maani’s employer, Safe Speed. 

The court also heard multiple questions from the jury.

In summary, the first question asked whether the value of the alleged bribe, reportedly $5,000, is required, or if the bribe could be any amount. The second question from the jury wondered if, if the defendant were found to have returned the value or otherwise changed his mind about accepting it, would that matter determine his guilt?  

Both sides, along with the judge, went over the jury questions and agreed on the appropriate language to respond. The jury sent a third note indicating that they intended to stay until 5 p.m. every day until they reached a verdict.

Jurors also asked a fourth question just before dismissal, but the judge, prosecution, and defense felt that the jury had all the necessary information in their instructions.

If Jones is found guilty on corruption charges, he faces the possibility of prison time and losing his seat in the Illinois Senate. 

Jury deliberations resume Wednesday.