Philadelphia DA set for bribery trial 2 months after arrest

Philadelphia’s top prosecutor intends to push federal prosecutors to trial in a 23-count bribery case just two months after his arrest.

District Attorney Seth Williams’ lawyers tell a judge they’ll be ready for the May 31 trial.

That unusual strategy comes after U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond denied a routine government request for more time to prepare.

The trial date will apparently hold unless prosecutors file an expanded indictment.

Williams is charged with taking more than $100,000 in cash, trips and gifts from favour-seekers and misusing $20,000 of his elderly mother’s funds.

He admits taking $175,000 in gifts during his eight-year tenure, but says he never promised any legal favours in return.

The 50-year-old Democrat remains in the $175,000-a-year post but is not running for a third term.