Prosecution rests at Beavers' trial

CHICAGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors have rested their tax-evasion case against a Cook County commissioner accused of diverting money from his campaign coffers and using it on personal items.

After the prosecution on Tuesday rested its case against William Beavers, the judge sent the jury home.

The defense is expected to begin its rebuttal of the prosecution's assertions on Wednesday. Beavers, a Chicago Democrat, has vowed to take the stand in his own defense.

The 78-year-old has denied charges he diverted around $225,000 from his campaign coffers for personal use without declaring it as income.

Prosecutors say Beavers put the majority of that money toward feeding a gambling habit during frequent trips to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind.