Philadelphia DA pleads guilty in federal bribery case, resigns
PHILADELPHIA — Seth Williams resigned as Philadelphia’s district attorney and was led out of court in handcuffs Thursday after abruptly ending his trial on federal bribery charges with a guilty plea.
Williams, who saw embarrassing details about his messy personal life and financial struggles dragged out into open court during the nearly twoweek trial, pleaded guilty to one count related to accepting a bribe from Bucks County businessman Mohammad Ali.
As part of the deal, Williams agreed to resign and will face up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 24.
Despite a plea by Williams to be allowed to remain free until then, U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered him held until sentencing, and U.S. Marshals took the disgraced prosecutor out of court in handcuffs.
“I have a guilty plea from the highest law officer in the city that he betrayed his office and he sold his office. I am appalled by the evidence that I heard,” Diamond said before ordering Williams jailed. “I simply do not credit this defendant’s testimony. I do not believe him.”
Asked earlier by Diamond whether he intended to follow through with his resignation, a somber Williams choked up and answered, “Humbly, sincerely and effective immediately.
“I’m just very sorry for all of this, your honor,” Williams said.
In addition to accepting that he could face a maximum five-year term when he is sentenced, Williams agreed to forfeit $64,878.22
While the 28 remaining counts against Williams were dismissed, he “admits that he committed all of the conduct in those 29 counts,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Zauzmer said.
Additionally, Williams was accused of misspending thousands of dollars from his campaign fund on memberships to exclusive Philadelphia social clubs, misusing city vehicles and misappropriating money intended to fund his mother’s nursing home care.