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This story was updated at 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2010.

State Sen. Ulysses S. Currie (D-Dist. 25) of District Heights was indicted Wednesday on charges that he allegedly accepted nearly $250,000 in bribes from a grocery store chain.

Currie, 73, was indicted by a federal grand jury on 18 counts including conspiracy, extortion and mail fraud. Prosecutors allege that from 2003 to 2008, he accepted monthly payments from Lanham-based Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp., in return for his positive influence on the grocer's behalf.

Prosecutors said Currie accepted payments as large as $7,600 a month by December 2007, and received a total of $245,816. They allege that, in return, he showed favor toward the company in attempting to secure a liquor license, grants for infrastructure and other improvements.

Two former Shoppers officials — former president William J. White, 67, of Annapolis and R. Kevin Small, 55, of Harrisburg, Pa., the former vice president for real estate development — were also indicted. The company has agreed to pay a $2.5 million penalty, according to prosecutors. Contact information for Small and White was not immediately available.

Dale B. Kelberman, an attorney representing Currie, said today in a release that Currie never accepted illegal benefits, but was instead a paid consultant for Shoppers. He said Currie signed a written contract approved by the company's lawyers, and that the senator reported his earnings on state and federal income returns.

Kelberman called the charges "unfounded," and said Currie will not plead guilty. Shoppers officials did not return calls for comment by press time.

Currie's charges include one count of conspiracy, one count of extortion, two counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud and two counts of providing false statements to federal investigators.

If convicted, Currie faces a maximum of five years in prison for extortion, 20 years for each of two counts of mail fraud and six counts of wire fraud, and five years for false statements. No court appearances for the three defendants have yet been scheduled.

Calls to Currie and his attorney were not returned by press time. Currie, who is seeking re-election, is un-opposed in the Sept. 14 primary election.

dhill@gazette.net