Former Philadelphia traffic judge charged in bribery case

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A former Philadelphia traffic court judge is being charged with bribery for allegedly taking a $2,000 Tiffany bracelet in an undercover sting.

"This is demonstrative, tangible evidence of the quid pro quo," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said while holding up the bracelet during a press conference Thursday morning.

Tynes surrendered to authorities at 7:00 a.m. She was released shortly before 6:00 p.m.

Judge Thomasine Tynes is accused of accepting the bracelet from an undercover informant in exchange for promising special access to a businessman.

The businessman was an informant wired for sound and video.

Defense lawyer Louis Busico says Tynes "was placed in a very bad position by a very slick con man," the businessman-turned-informant Tyron Ali.

The case against Tynes and four state representatives was initiated by the State Attorney General's Office.

But, when current Attorney General Kathleen Kane came into office, she dropped the case, claiming the informant was tainted and that the investigation appeared to be racially motivated.

The lead investigator on the case now works for Philadelphia DA Seth Williams.

Williams revived the case and sent it to a grand jury.

Tynes is the first to be indicted by the grand jury.

Williams says investigators have convincing audio and video evidence.

"At their first private meeting, the businessman said, 'We're not going to the park, right? We're trying to go to the bank.' The judge responded, 'Dealing with the greens,'" Williams said.

Four state representatives were targeted in the initial investigation. They are apparently still targets and there may be more.

"This investigation was not dead on arrival, is definitely not over, and is most certainly moving ahead with a full head of steam," Williams said.

Tynes is also currently awaiting sentencing on federal charges for her earlier perjury conviction in a federal investigation of traffic court.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.