Chicago councilwoman charged with bribes

CHICAGO, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A Chicago councilwoman charged with taking bribes allegedly said on a surreptitiously made tape that most politicians are "hoes," a report says.

FBI agents arrested Arenda Troutman at home on Monday. Officers who were at the scene said her shredding machine felt warm, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

She faces federal charges for allegedly taking thousands of dollars to help win approval for a real estate development. One of her alleged co-conspirators was cooperating with investigators, including wearing a wire.

"Well the thing is, most aldermen, most politicians are hoes," Troutman allegedly said on tape, the newspaper reported.

The supposed developer was actually part of a sting operation, the Sun-Times said.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Shapiro called the case a civics lesson on the 20th Ward.

"You want the alderman's support? You pay the alderman, you pay Arenda Troutman," Shapiro said. "And best of all, in the 20th Ward, everything's negotiable."

Troutman's lawyer said she plans to plead not guilty.