Compton : James Pleads Innocent

City Councilman Floyd A. James and Inglewood political consultant Roderick Wright have pleaded innocent to felony vote-buying charges that stem from a pair of campaign mailers sent during the final days of last spring’s municipal election.

During their arraignment Friday, both men were allowed to remain free without having to post bail, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 13 in Los Angeles Municipal Court, officials said.

James and Wright are accused of three felonies, including conspiracy to violate mass-mailing requirements, election fraud and offering record albums to constituents who promised to vote for the councilman. James was nearly defeated in the primary, but--after the mailings were distributed--went on to handily win the general election and a second term. If convicted, the men could receive up to nine years in prison.