Some Charges Dropped Against Md. State Senator Currie

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—More than half a dozen criminal charges against a powerful Maryland politician are dropped. But State Senator Ulysses Currie is far from in the clear.

Adam May reports why the legal move could make getting a conviction easier.

State Senator Ulysses Currie from Prince George's County stands accused of giving Shoppers Food and Pharmacy favors and special treatment in Annapolis.

Federal investigators say in exchange the store gave Currie almost a quarter million dollars.

Since 2008, he's denied wrongdoing.

"I need to focus on my family, my job and my constituents," he said.

Now prosecutors have dropped seven corruption-based charges against Currie.

Last year, the Supreme Court ruled the specific law referred to as honest services was too vague. Currie still faces accusations of bribery and lying to federal investigators.

He has stepped down as chair of the Budget and Taxation Committee, but he's still on the panel which controls all legislation related to the state budget.

Currie's attorney wouldn't speak to WJZ on camera, but over the phone he said he sees this as a major legal victory for his client and will now try to get the rest of the charges thrown out of court.

"At this point, it's not possible to know if this is a victory for the defense, or if quite frankly it will make the government's job easier," said legal expert Andy Levy.

Levy says federal prosecutors may be strategically streamlining their case, focusing on the bribery charges, which can be easier to prove in court.

"Anytime the government can prove a large sum of money was paid to a politician, even though the government has the burden of proof, in practical terms, the burden shifts to the politician to explain why this money was paid," Levy said.

Currie is being represented by a federal public defender. He says the court will hear a motion to dismiss all the charges at the end of July.

If the case moves forward, it goes to trial in September.