Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 04/27/2010

Ex-Graham aide pleads not guilty

By Washington Post editors

Ted G. Loza, former chief of staff for D.C. Council member Jim Graham, Tuesday morning pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted or solicited bribes in exchange for pursuing legislation favorable to the taxicab industry, Crime Scene reports.

Loza, who was arrested in September, is accused of accepting or soliciting more than $30,000 in cash, trips, limousine rides and meals.

A trial is set for October, and prosecutors said it could last about a month.

Loza declined to comment after the hearing. But his attorney, Pleasant S. Brodnax III, said: "We look forward to our day in court."