UPDATE: Calderon Pleads Not Guilty, Steinberg Calls On Senator To Step Down
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California State Sen. Ron Calderon has pleaded not guilty to multiple corruption counts involving bribes, kickbacks and fraud.
U.S. attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek says Calderon was taken into custody in Los Angeles late Monday morning. He entered his plea in court on Monday afternoon.
The Democrat was charged Friday with accepting $100,000 in bribes and lavish trips and funneling some of the money to his children and political groups that he and his brother controlled.
Sen Pro Tem steinberg announced he's giving sen. Calderon one week to resign or senate will vote to suspend. pic.twitter.com/atShN6XVdV
— stevelarge (@largesteven) February 24, 2014
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg renewed calls for Calderon to resign his senate seat in the next week, or a vote will be held to suspend the embattled senator.
His brother Tom, a former state lawmaker-turned-lobbyist, is charged with money-laundering.
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