Philadelphia DA Seth Williams set for bribery trial 2 months after arrest

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Monday, May 1, 2017
RAW VIDEO: Seth Williams announcement
Watch Philadelphia DA Seth Williams explain why he will not seek a third term on February 10, 2017.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- 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.

Action News was there as Philadelphia DA Seth Williams arrived at court Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

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 favor-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 favors in return.

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

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