INDICTED

Philly DA Seth Williams Charged With 23 Counts of Corruption

In one scheme, he allegedly defrauded a local nursing home.

According to a U.S. Department of Justice press release Tuesday, “A federal grand jury today returned a 23-count indictment charging Philadelphia District Attorney Rufus Seth Williams with bribery, extortion, and honest services wire fraud in connection with tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of concealed bribes that he received from two business owners in exchange for his agreement to perform official acts. The indictment also charges Williams with defrauding a nursing home and family friends of money earmarked for a family member’s care.” Williams was charged with 10 counts of “travel and use of interstate facilities to promote and facilitate bribery,” two counts of Hobbs Act “extortion under color of official right,” five counts of honest services wire fraud, and six counts of wire fraud. According to prosecutors, as part of his alleged corruption, William ran at least three schemes, two of which included him accepting gifts—including a 1997 Jaguar XK8 convertible—from business owners in exchange for official acts. Prosecutors also say he defrauded a local nursing home of $20,000 by allegedly diverting pension and Social Security funds to himself.