A federal prosecutor told a jury that a former Pike County lawmaker secretly paid tens of thousands of dollars to a state mine inspector. The trial for Keith Hall began on Monday.
The 55-year-old Hall, who is accused of bribery, served 14 years as a Democratic state representative from Phelps until a 2014 primary defeat.
Prosecutors say Hall, who owned coal mines, paid about $46,000 in bribes to mine inspector Kelly Shortridge in 2009 and 2010. Shortridge has pleaded guilty to soliciting a bribe, saying he agreed to ignore violations at Hall's mines. Shortridge is expected to testify against Hall.
Hall's attorney Bryce Caldwell says Hall's payments to Shortridge were for legitimate business deals. Hall could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.