State Representative Derrick Smith says he's "painfully aware" that the federal charge levied against him creates a very poor perception of him and the House of Representatives.  But the Chicao Democrat has no plans to resign, saying he's innocent.   

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An attorney for State Representative Derrick Smith will not confirm the most basic allegations against his client.  When asked by members of a special investigative committee whether Smith actually wrote a letter of support, or engaged a conversation to accept a bribe, Attorney Victor Henderson had little to say.

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Smith's attorney wants lawmakers to be careful not to judge his client's guilt or innocence without all the facts. Henderson says there are holes in the federal government's case against Smith.

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Smith appeared before a special investigative committee charged with determining whether he should be disciplined or expelled from the legislature. His attorney refused to confirm whether Smith actually wrote a letter of support for a daycare center, had a copy of the letter, engaged a conversation to accept a bribe or whether he actually accepted a cash bribe. The refusal created some suspicion among committee members.  They compare Smith's case to that of former Governor Rod Blagojevich where all they had to go off of was federal documents that transcribe a wiretap.  Blagojevich was impeached based on the documents.