Washington - A federal judge dismissed eight charges against former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, leaving a jury to decide 30 other counts related to alleged illegal gifts Espy got from companies he regulated.
U.S. Judge Ricardo Urbina's oral ruling eliminated a sizable portion of the government's case against Espy, but left intact the most serious charge of violating the federal Meat Inspection Act. If convicted of that charge, Espy would face mandatory jail time.
The judge issued his decision following six weeks of testimony in which prosecutors tried to show that Espy asked lobbyists for big companies such as Tyson Foods Inc (NYSE:TSN - news) for some $35,000 worth of football tickets, luggage and other gifts while he was in charge of the U.S. Agriculture Department.
Espy, 44, resigned from President Clinton's cabinet in 1994 after becoming the first black to head the USDA. He maintains his innocence, insisting most of the gifts were given out of friendship rather than in an effort to influence USDA policy.
Prosecutors rested their case last week, and defense attorneys for Espy declined to call any witnesses to testify on his behalf. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday.
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