Testimony begins in bribery trial of former Milwaukee County supervisor

CREATED Aug. 20, 2012 - UPDATED: Aug. 21, 2012

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  • Lacey Crisp reports Video by 620wtmj.com

    video
  • Lacey Crisp reports Video by 620wtmj.com

    video

MILWAUKEE- A jury began hearing testimony Tuesday in the case of a Milwaukee County supervisor accused of taking a bribe.

This trial centers around whether former Milwaukee County Supervisor Johnny Thomas accepted money for placing a bid for a contract on a committee agenda.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Lacey Crisp reports that the district attorney's office opened testimony Tuesday by explaining how, and by whom items can be put on a county agenda.

"It is up to the chairman to put the items on or delete them," explained committee clerk Carol Mueller.

The prosecution is arguing that Thomas sat on a contract for months, and only acted on it after he was given $500.

Thomas was given the money on December 6 as a part of a John Doe investigation, and the board meeting was on December 8.

But the defense argues it was a county department, not Thomas, that held up the contract.

The trial is expected to last all week.

Thomas is accused of two felonies: Accepting a bribe in public office and misconduct in public office.  Click here to read more about the charges against Johnny Thomas.