Jury selection under way for film case

DES MOINES (AP) ? Jury selection is under way in the corruption trial of the former director of the Iowa Film Office.

Tom Wheeler appeared in court Monday as defense attorneys and prosecutors started trying to select 12 jurors out of a pool of 80 to hear the trial, which is expected to last three weeks.

The questioning of potential jurors about their backgrounds and whether they can fairly hear the case is expected to continue today at the Polk County Courthouse.

Wheeler is charged with several counts of fraud, misconduct in office and conspiracy. Prosecutors say he helped film makers rip off Iowa taxpayers by approving phony budgets that helped them receive lucrative tax credits.

His defense lawyer says he did not commit fraud and did not personally gain anything from his actions.