Congressman convicted in sex scandal

August 22, 1995 -- 10:15 p.m. EDT

[Reynolds] CHICAGO, ILL. (CNN) -- A Chicago jury has found Rep. Mel Reynolds, D-Illinois, guilty on all counts of sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old former campaign worker.

Reynolds was also found guilty of having attempted to thwart the investigation into his misconduct. Reynolds had denied the accusations and said he and former campaign worker Beverly Heard, who testified against him, engaged only in phone sex.

The jury deliberated for two days before returning with the verdict. Reynolds was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, child pornography and obstruction of justice. The most serious charge, criminal sexual assault, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four years. If the conviction is upheld, Reynolds would lose his seat in congress and face a prison term of up to 80 years.

Congressman convicted in sex scandal

| INDEX | SEARCH | CNN HOME PAGE | MAIN U.S. NEWS PAGE |