Monroe Councilmen Plead Not Guilty For Taking Bribes

The federal court in Monroe had a busy day today. Two doctors, two city councilman and a local business man are faced with federal charges. The doctors face conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs. But first we have more on two Monroe city councilmen who are charged with bribery. Monroe Councilmen Robert “Red” Stevens and Arthur Gilmore face two counts of accepting money for favors on behalf of the council. Both men walked away from court pleading not guilty to bribery as a public official. The government accuses Stevens who represents District 4 of accepting just over six thousand dollars for favors on the council. They accuse Gilmore who represents District 3 of taking just over a thousand dollars including land. Both men say they plan to continue serving on the council during the trial. Stevens had this to say about the charges against him. "We’ll just let the justice system take it's course and we'll all come out in the end...............my ultimate goal has always been to move the city forward that has not changed and I will continue to do that,” said Stevens. Both men will remain free until their trial, but they can't travel without the court's permission. Gilmore and Stevens' attorneys must call the court on August 12 to set up a pre-trial hearing. If convicted, Stevens and Gilmore each face up to 20 years in jail, a $250 thousand fine or both.