Turner to plead case in news conference

City Councilor Chuck Turner said he will hold a news conference tomorrow afternoon on the steps of City Hall to make his case for why he is innocent and should remain a member of the City Council, his attorney said today.

In the wake of allegations that Turner allegedly accepted a $1,000 bribe and lied to federal agents, the City Council tomorrow will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. to consider their options about Turner.

Turner, who was arrested Friday, claims that federal officials entrapped him when he was accused of accepting cash from an undercover agent working with the FBI as part of a public corruption probe.

"What happened to innocent until proven guilty?" asked Barry P. Wilson, a Boston attorney representing Turner. "This is out of control – out of control. They have no right to do this. This is totally out of character. Does any of them know Chuck Turner?

The options the councilors will consider include stripping Turner of his position, passing a resolution urging him to resign, censuring him, or taking no action until his case is tried, City Council officials said.