Philly DA takes up Pa. lawmaker investigation

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams says he is reviving a racially charged probe into whether some Pennsylvania lawmakers accepted cash and gifts in exchange for political favors.

"I won't allow this case to just disappear. It has to be accountability," said Williams.

Published reports have named the targets of the investigation as State Representatives, Ron Waters, Louise Bishop, Michelle Brownlee, and Vanessa Brown, along with former Traffic Court Judge Tomasine Tynes.

Sources close to the investigation confirm they are among those under investigation.

However, the DA says it's not just limited to them.

"This investigation is much more expansive than what has been previously reported," said Williams.

The five who've already been named are accused of accepting gifts and cash from an undercover informant.

Investigators have compiled hours of video surveillance and audio recordings.

Williams say he has listened to some of them and says they are convincing enough to send to a grand jury to consider criminal charges.

The investigation had been going on since 2010, before current Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was elected.

She dropped the case shortly after taking office saying it relied on a shaky informant and was possibly tainted by racial profiling.

Williams blasted Kane for that decision, so she turned the case over to him.

It is now in front of grand jury that has already heard testimony.

"If crimes occurred here of this magnitude and this nature, we can't be indifferent, we can't put our heads in the sand," said Williams.

Action News reached out to the state representatives who've already been named and they have not returned our calls for comment.

Bishop's lawyer says she expects to be indicted, but he predicts the case will not hold up in front of a trial jury.