Yee Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Charges

5 P.M.-- Suspended State Sen. Leland Yee has pleaded "not guilty" to all charges Tuesday. 

Yee faces a total of seven charges: one count of conspiracy to traffic in firearms without a license and illegally import firearms ... and six counts of engaging in a scheme to defraud citizens of honest services.  To all those charges, Yee pleaded not guilty in San Francisco federal court.

Yee's campaign consultant also pleaded not guilty to charges of murder-for-hire, corruption, conspiracy and firearms trafficking.

Another defendant in the case, Chinatown gang leader Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow, did not enter a plea.  But Chow's lawyer told reporters after the arraignment that the F-B-I entrapped his client - and that he intends to put the government on trial.

The state Senate suspended Yee last month, along with two other Democrats, until their legal troubles are resolved.  All three continue to collect paychecks.

(AP) -- Accused state Sen. Leland Yee appeared in court Tuesday to face charges against him related to corruption and arms dealing.

Suspended California state Sen. Leland Yee has pleaded not guilty to all charges for his alleged role in a San Francisco political corruption and organized crime case.

Yee entered his pleas in federal court on Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to traffic in firearms without a license and illegally import firearms, and six counts of engaging in a scheme to defraud citizens of honest services.

The San Francisco Democrat is accused of conspiring to connect an undercover FBI agent with a Philippine arms dealer in exchange for campaign contributions, and of trading political influence for cash.

His campaign consultant, Keith Jackson, also pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder-for-hire, corruption, conspiracy and firearms trafficking charges.

Yee, Jackson and 18 others were formally indicted last week after being arrested March 26.

Another defendant, Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow, whose charges include money laundering and trafficking, did not enter a plea Tuesday.