Chicago alderman indicted
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the US Attorney’s office…
A federal grand jury has indicted City of Chicago Alderman WILLIE B. COCHRAN on charges he pocketed money from a charitable fund that was intended to help families and children in his South Side ward.
The 15-count indictment alleges that Cochran used money from the 20th Ward Activities Fund to pay his daughter’s college tuition and to finance his gambling expenses, as well as to purchase items for use in his home. The indictment also charges Cochran with extorting money from a lawyer and a liquor store owner in exchange for Cochran’s aldermanic support.
The indictment was returned Tuesday in federal court in Chicago. It charges Cochran, 64, of Chicago, with eleven counts of wire fraud, two counts of federal program bribery, and two counts of extortion. An arraignment date has not yet been set.
The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI initiated the investigation after receiving information from the former City of Chicago Legislative Inspector General’s Office, which was headed at that time by Faisal Khan.
“When an elected official uses public power for personal gain, the average citizen pays and our democratic system suffers,” said U.S. Attorney Fardon. “We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute any elected official who attempts to use their office to enrich themselves.”
According to the indictment, Cochran corruptly solicited and demanded $1,500 from an Illinois attorney who represented real estate developers with properties in Cochran’s ward. Cochran solicited and obtained the money for his continued and future aldermanic support of the developments, which included a property developed under the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, according to the indictment.
The indictment also charges Cochran with corruptly soliciting and demanding payment from a 20th Ward liquor store owner who sought an amendment to the Municipal Code of Chicago to allow package goods licenses on the store’s side of South Cottage Grove Avenue. Shortly after soliciting the payment, the City Council of Chicago in April 2015 passed a Cochran-sponsored amendment that allowed for issuance of the licenses on that block, according to the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Cochran was the sole signatory on a bank account for the 20th Ward Activities Fund, a charitable endeavor that purported to host ward events such as a summer back-to-school picnic, a Valentine’s Day party for senior citizens, and events during the holiday season. In reality, Cochran used a portion of the money contributed by donors for his own personal use, the indictment states. These expenses included $5,000 toward his daughter’s college tuition, and approximately $25,000 that Cochran withdrew from automated teller machines in or near casinos where he gambled, according to the indictment.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charges in the indictment are punishable by a total maximum sentence of 280 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather McShain and Christopher Stetler.
The indictment is here.
* Tribune…
Court records hint at recent financial troubles for Cochran. He has been the target of three foreclosure lawsuits over his personal home and laundry businesses he held a financial stake in.
State records show that since January 2015 Cochran has filed an unusually large number of revisions to his campaign finance paperwork — around 80, including 10 since early last month. Over the previous eight years, Cochran had filed only six amendments to his campaign records.
In some of the amended campaign finance reports, Cochran revealed he had paid himself out of his campaign fund. In several instances, Cochran did not report those payments until well after he filed his campaign reports with state elections officials — in some cases more than a year or two later.
From 2012 through 2016, Cochran spent $397,574 in campaign funds. About one-third of that — $128,297 — went to himself, the records show.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:58 am:
Based on his comments about his predecessor, this post could also be headlined “Unclear on the concept.”
- Ron - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:58 am:
When will Chicago reduce the size of the City Council? It will reduce the opportunity for corruption and save literally $10 of millions/year.
- Texas Red - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
From Trib, couldn’t be more true….
The Chicago City Council has a long, notorious history of corruption as 29 aldermen have been convicted of crimes related to their official duties since 1972.
- Blue Bayou - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:05 pm:
Now that’s what I call Term Limits.
- A guy - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:07 pm:
The Club has a new member.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:15 pm:
anyone who takes the 20th ward seat is in the danger zone.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:16 pm:
The last time I saw alderman Cochran was on Feb. 22, 2013, at the Bilandic building in downtown Chicago. He testified with alderman Harry Osterman in front of Elaine Nekritz’s judiciary committee about Brandon Phelps concealed carry bill.
The Reps. on the committee sort of smooched up to him as a great expert in criminal matters since he is a former Chicago cop. Rep. Chris Welch questioned Cochran in his diplomatic lawyerly style about the dangers of the Duty to Inform provision when licensed citizens interact with the police.
Lots of cops have their hands out for freebies. Maybe Cochran considered these contributions to be part of his “police discount.”
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:26 pm:
Geez, how dreary; tuition and ATM hits at Indiana casinos.
If you’re inclined to take the risk, go Jet Set style, like the Prince of Peoria. Give you something to talk about to pass the time in the can.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:36 pm:
===The FBI initiated the investigation after receiving information from the former City of Chicago Legislative Inspector General’s Office, which was headed at that time by Faisal Khan.===
KKKKKHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNN!
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
47, I knew it would be you.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:42 pm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrG-uoVJHwk
- Archiesmom - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:01 pm:
No surprise. And I am sure there’s a lot more out there that could be dug up. I’ve heard some really bad anecdotal evidence about elected officials who write themselves checks out of their campaign accounts and never disclose them in their state filings, figuring that they’ll never get caught. After all, a D-2 is only as good as the information you put into it. It’s not checked against a bank account, not audited, just a matter of good faith, for the most part.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:08 pm:
=Give you something to talk about to pass the time in the can.=
That and interior decorating.
- Secret six - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:10 pm:
Project six makes its mark. Wow.
- Doug - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
Mmmm…what is missing from those articles?
Answer? His party.
- Midway Gardens - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:27 pm:
I feel sorry for him. Just not as sophisticated as the others feeding off their public office. These guys need to get smart and get their brother running a law firm for zoning requests or have their own firm for tax appeals. Just sloppy.
- LYO - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:03 pm:
“Mmmm…what is missing from those articles?
Answer? His party. ”
Chicago Municipal elections are non-partisan
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:56 pm:
–Mmmm…what is missing from those articles?
Answer? His party.–
Is that how it works in Illinois?
What time is the Len Small Society meeting?
I don’t think Speaker Hastert can make it. But Stu Levine, Bill Cellini and George Ryan are free, as is Aaron Schock — for now.
- Gooner - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:06 pm:
The interesting this is that this appears to be the only time that Khan’s work has lead to any substantive result.
Not to defend the Alderman, but somebody should be investigating Khan to figure just what he did to turn the hundreds of thousands he was paid.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:24 pm:
It has become abundantly clear that many Illinois politicians do not want their offices for the actual purpose of public service. It must still be plenty lucrative for them to keep taking the chance that they’ll be the one that doesn’t get caught.
- Railrat - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:31 pm:
What’s the saying ? “feed pigs, slaughter hogs” ?!! innocent until proven guilty I suppose but wouldn’t have been a grand story “alderman indicted for pocketing money from a charitable fund with intent to rid his district of violence ” vs extorting a liquor store owner and ambulance chaser !! happy holidays Chicago !!
- Rod - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 3:40 pm:
But really what an incredible tragedy for the 20th ward to have Arenda Troutman go down for four years and now Cochran, a former Chicago police officer likely to go down. The Washington Park community area that encompasses the 20th ward is ranked fifth in violent crimes for all 77 of Chicago’s community areas, that too is tragic.