Metts’ lawyers say charges should be dismissed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s longest-serving sheriff says in court papers that federal corruption allegations against him should be dismissed.

Next week, attorneys for suspended Lexington County Sheriff James Metts and federal prosecutors will be in court to discuss their arguments, which they’ve already filed in court.

Metts is accused of taking bribes from a restaurant owner in exchange for releasing some of his employees who had been detained for being in the country illegally.

Earlier this month, Metts’ lawyers filed papers saying that at worst their client broke a reporting contract with the Department of Homeland Security. Prosecutors say Metts conspired to set up the bribery arrangement and should be tried on all 10 counts against him.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP