Bribery trial delayed for Chicago Democrat

A Chicago federal judge has delayed the bribery trial of state Rep. Derrick Smith after prosecutors said they needed time to locate phone records.

The matter arose at a status hearing Thursday, less than two weeks before the Democrat’s trial was set to begin.

Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman expressed frustration with both sides that the issue arose at the last minute.

Smith has pleaded not guilty to taking a $7,000 bribe in exchange for recommending a state grant to help a day care center.

Smith’s attorney, Victor Henderson, says he only recently learned of the existence of several cellphones that may be relevant to the case. But prosecutors say they may need more than several weeks to local the phone records.

Coleman tentatively set May 28 as the new trial date.