Ex-congressman Reynolds says he wants to plead guilty in tax case

Former U.S. Rep Mel Reynolds, in a handwritten motion, says he wants to plead guilty to failing to file tax returns.

The motion, dated May 3 but filed Friday, says his confinement in Kankakee County has left him unable to prepare for trial.

"I have no access or way to interview potential witnesses for my defense while in detention," Reynolds wrote. "Additionally, I have not seen my court appionted (sic) standby attorney, Mr. Kling, but for 40 mins. in almost two weeks."

Last week, after two weeks in that jail, Reynolds was asking U.S. District Judge John Darrah to move him to a halfway house.

He referred to that request in noting that were he allowed to move, he likely would not be making this request because being in a halfway house "would have allowed me to properly prepare for trial" but now "it is more than clear that I cannot get ready for trial," he wrote.

Reynolds was arrested on a bench warrant after returning to the U.S. from South Africa two weeks after he failed to show for a scheduled hearing in Darrah's court.

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