An August trial date has been set for state Sen. Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. (D-Phila.), who recently pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.
Farnese is accused of bribing Eighth Ward committee member Ellen Chapman in order to ensure his 2011 election as Democratic leader of the ward.
A joint trial for Farnese and Chapman has been scheduled for Aug. 16, with U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe presiding.
Farnese allegedly diverted $6,000 in campaign funds to help pay the college tuition of Chapman’s daughter.
Farnese and Chapman are charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and related offenses. But they deny the allegations, and supporters say prosecutors haven’t produced any evidence of bribery.
Farnese’s attorney, Mark B. Sheppard, issued this statement about the upcoming trial: “Sen. Farnese looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name as he is — as he has always maintained — innocent of the novel charges the government has filed against him. There are no allegations that these charges in any way were connected to his official office nor that any government monies were misused. He fully expects to be exonerated and will be ready whenever the court sets the trial date.”
The Eighth Ward is a political subdivision, largely in Center City west of Broad. It serves as a conduit to party leadership, and it’s a source of information during campaigns and elections. The ward is composed of committeemembers elected by their neighbors, who then elect a ward leader every four years.
Court documents detail the conditions set for the pretrial release of Farnese and Chapman.
Farnese’s conditions include: signing a $50,000 personal-recognizance bond, random drug testing, no improper contact with Chapman or potential witnesses, participation in a mental-health-services program, place of abode must be Academy House and no travel outside the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Chapman’s conditions include: signing a $25,000 personal-recognizance bond, no case-related contact with Farnese and/or potential witnesses, place of abode must be on South 20th Street, must maintain present employment and no travel outside the United States.
Sheppard issued this statement about Farnese’s pretrial release: “Sen. Farnese agreed to a fairly standard set of requirements, just as virtually everyone else would be required to do, regardless of what they were accused of or their age, income, race or gender.”
Attorneys for Chapman couldn’t be reached for comment.
The joint trial will be held in Courtroom 12A of the U.S. Court House, 601 Market St.
Farnese has been a strong supporter of the LGBT community. In 2014, he sent a letter to state and local officials, urging a new probe of the Nizah Morris incident. He’s also co-prime sponsor of the state Senate’s version of the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.