Jury deliberating in case of former Indianapolis official

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A federal jury has begun deliberations in the case of a former Indianapolis city official accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks stemming from a city program that sells vacant and tax-delinquent properties.

U.S. attorney’s office spokesman Tim Horty says jurors who heard nearly two weeks of testimony in Reggie Walton’s trial began deliberating about 4 p.m. EDT Tuesday following closing arguments.

Walton faces charges that include wire fraud and bribery. He’s Indianapolis’ former assistant administrator of abandoned buildings.

Prosecutors allege Walton used his city post as supervisor of the Indianapolis Land Bank to enrich himself. Walton pleaded not guilty.

He was tried along with alleged co-conspirator David Johnson, the executive director of the nonprofit Indiana Minority AIDS Coalition. Their joint trial began March 4.