A former U.S. congressman has failed to appear at a scheduled arraignment to enter a plea on federal tax charges. ?
Mel Reynolds' lawyer explained Monday that his client traveled overseas in early June and couldn't return for his arraignment because his daughter fell ill. ?
Monday's hearing in federal court in Chicago was supposed to be the Democrat's first court appearance since his indictment two weeks ago for allegedly not filing income tax returns for four straight years. ?
But the hearing never began after defense attorneys and prosecutors gathered in court. Instead, a court official agreed with both sides to reschedule the hearing for July 30. ?
No explanation was provided in court. Reynolds' attorney, Theodore Poulos, spoke to reporters later in a courtroom lobby, but provided few details.
This isn't the first legal quandary for the Chicago Democrat. Reynolds resigned his 2nd Congressional District seat 20 years ago after being convicted of statutory rape for having sex with an underage campaign worker.
If convicted on the four tax counts, Reynolds faces a maximum one-year prison term on each count.
Reynolds hasn't spoken publicly about the allegations.
