12/6/17
by News Department on 12/06/17Vaughn asks for charges to be dismissed...
Former Democratic Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer, under indictment for his alleged role in a case of "pay-to-play" politics, is asking a judge to dismiss the federal government's bribery charges against him.
Prosecutors said Spencer made clear to businesses and individuals that city contracts would be withheld if they didn't provide sufficient campaign contributions.
The defense is also asking the judge to remove from Spencer's indictment all references to the federal investigation in Allentown, saying there's nothing connecting Reading's former mayor to that probe.
Spencer was charged in July with nine counts of bribery and a single count each of honest services wire fraud and conspiracy.
