Senator Leland Yee pleaded not guilty today to federal charges of corruption and firearm trafficking. What's more, Keith Jackson, a former Yee consultant and alleged murderer-for-hire, pleaded not guilty as well.
As for Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow? He postponed his plea after his celebrity attorney, Tony Serra, asked for more time. The flamboyant lawyer also accused to government of racism, among other things. Sacramento Bee has more:
In an interview outside court, Serra said he will "put the government on trial" and mount a defense that raises issues of official racism and entrapment."Law enforcement is supposed to investigate crime and criminal activity. In this case, they created crime and criminal activity," Serra said.
Yee, now free on a $500,000 bond, abandoned his campaign for California secretary of state soon after the his FBI arrest. Although suspended from his senatorial gig, Yee has yet to step down from his senatorial gig. Jackson is also free on a $250,000 bond, but Chow remains in custody.
If convicted, Yee faces up to 125 years in the clink.
In other news, the Senate erased Yee's name and archives from his website. Check it out.
