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Openings Expected In Red Light Camera Bribery Trial

CHICAGO (AP) -- Opening statements are expected in the federal trial of an ex-Chicago transportation official accused of accepting cash and gifts to steer over $100 million in red light camera contracts to a Phoenix-based company.

The sides who will deliver openings Wednesday spent the first two days of the week on jury selection. Among the questions for would-be jurors was whether they'd ever been ticketed by red light cameras. But Judge Virginia Kendall also told them the case isn't about the fairness of such systems.

John Bills is accused of fixing a key commission vote to secure an initial deal for Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. in 2003. Redflex later signed other deals for Chicago's first red light enforcement program.

Chicago canceled Redflex's contract in 2013 following Chicago Tribune reports on the alleged bribery scheme.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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