* Read the 27-page plea agreement and charging documents against ex-state Sen. Martin Sandoval
* Guilty plea lays bare ex-state Sen. Martin Sandoval’s greed in red-light camera bribery scheme. ‘So why don’t I get that offer?’: Sandoval’s 27-page plea agreement laid bare a striking level of greed, even in a state accustomed to elected officials going off to prison for trading political power for cash.
* Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval pleads guilty to tax fraud, bribery charges: As part of a plea agreement, Sandoval has agreed to fully and truthfully cooperate in any matter in which he is called upon by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sandoval admitted in the plea agreement that he solicited and accepted financial and other benefits from an individual affiliated with a Chicago-area red-light camera company, in return for Sandoval using his official position as a state senator to block legislation harmful to the red-light-camera industry, the release said. Sandoval also admitted he engaged in corrupt activities with other public officials and accepted money from other individuals in return for using his official position to attempt to benefit those individuals and their business interests. Sandoval admitted accepting more than $250,000 in bribes as part of criminal activity that involved more than five participants, officials said.
* Ex-Sen. Martin Sandoval said he was going ‘balls to the walls’ for red-light camera company for thousands in bribes: Sandoval could be seen wiping his face with his hands before the judge took the bench, and he only spoke when questioned by the judge. At one point, he seemed to inadvertently reveal the identity of SafeSpeed, which had been referred to in court records only as “Company A.” “I accepted money in exchange for the use of my office as state senator to help SafeSpeed — Company A,” Sandoval told the judge.
* Ex-state Sen. Martin Sandoval charged with bribery in red-light camera scheme: A 2017 Chicago Tribune investigation documented how Sandoval intervened on behalf of SafeSpeed to push state transportation officials to change their stance and allow the company’s cameras to be installed at the relatively safe intersection of Illinois Route 83 and 22nd Street in Oakbrook Terrace. The push came even though the Illinois Department of Transportation’s policies required that cameras target dangerous corners to improve safety.
* Who will Sandoval take down with him?: In total, he got $70,000 in payments from an red-light company that is not identified in the charges. Which leaves the question of where the other $180,000 in bribes Sandoval admitted to came from.
* Former Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval Promised To Go ‘Balls To The Wall’ For Red Light Camera Firm SafeSpeed: However, according to a search warrant from a federal raid on Sandoval’s home and offices last September indicates the feds are casting a wide net in their ongoing corruption probe. The warrant revealed federal investigators were seeking evidence related to a vast array of subjects — including SafeSpeed; ComEd; Cook County Commissioner and McCook Village President Jeff Tobolski; businessman Michael Vondra; video gambling company Gold Rush Gaming; several unnamed Illinois Department of Transportation officials; and several asphalt, concrete, and construction companies. Lausch declined to speculate why Sandoval would have taken bribes after so many public officials in Illinois have been convicted of similar crimes.
* Ex-Illinois lawmaker Martin Sandoval charged with red-light camera bribery: Sandoval also was charged with a count of filing a false tax return. It accuses him of misstating his income in a 2017 return when he indicated he made around $125,000. His income “substantially exceeded that amount” and Sandoval knew it, the filing says.
* Former IL Sen. Martin Sandoval pleads guilty to bribery, will assist corruption probe: Sandoval is the fourth Illinois politician to face corruption charges since last January. Last fall, federal agents raided Sandoval’s home and offices. He resigned from the senate after. “It is a very stubborn problem we seem to have here in Illinois,” Lausch said.
* Former State Senator Martin Sandoval pleads guilty in bribery scheme: “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more embarrassed than watching the federal government cart cardboard boxes out of the Capitol. It turned my stomach,” newly elected Senate President Don Harmon said of the FBI’s Sept. 24 raids of Sandoval’s offices.
* Ex-Sen. Martin Sandoval Pleads Guilty to Bribery, Tax Offense: Until his resignation, Sandoval had represented the 11th Senate District - encompassing parts of Chicago’s Southwest Side and the surrounding suburbs - since 2003. Democratic leaders selected freshman state Rep. Celina Villanueva to fill the vacancy earlier this month.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:10 am:
I think the true “Sandoval Roundup” is yet to come after he’s done talking.
- Flat Bed Ford - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:12 am:
Shut it down. Burgundy nailed it.
- Eire17 - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:22 am:
It’s interesting to notice the difference between John Sullivan and Marty. I don’t pretend to know every fact of each situation but I really liked John and heard many people express feeling bad for him. Marty? No one cares.
- Steve - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:25 am:
A reasonable question for those who have interacted with Martin Sandoval: when did you learn of Martin Sandoval’s ethical shortcomings?
- A Guy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:28 am:
Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered, Sandovals go well beyond this.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:37 am:
The “extent” Sandoval was willing to keep his agreement, in his own words explaining how owning him he will work… “to the wall”… the obvious conclusion is that working illegally to profit off his corruption was something Sandoval thought was not only ok, but a craft and trade he took seriously to be good at.
It is funny (comically so) the complaining he (Sandoval) is doing *all* this work (corruption) and others are “profiting” at a better rate? Sandoval himself stated he lets his owners pick their price. If Sandoval has a beef, he shoulda sold his seat and soul for a better rate.
The slipping of Company A’s name, I’d like to think it’s not an accident but a flair in the sky to those “I’m coming for you, to save myself”, but as nervous as Sandoval has to be, the bully now being dressed down in federal court as a corrupt politician who put a price on his seat and power.
No sympathy, especially for one concerned he wasn’t getting enough compared to others in corruption.
- CEA - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:45 am:
I feel guilty watching this movie without having bought a ticket. Martin Scorsese, eat your heart out.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:47 am:
Ugh. Unfortunately, this is what many people assume goes on behind the scenes as sausage is made. And pols like Sandoval and his friends come along just often enough to reinforce that assumption in spades.
- JennaM - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:52 am:
Sandoval is a total joke. He only sorry for being caught. His whole family is involved in corruption. Where’s the bologna?
- JennaM - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 10:54 am:
He was able to get City of Chicago jobs in the CTA for his daughter in law and daughter. They need to be fired. His corruption was everywhere. BTW where is the bologna?
- Pick a Name - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 11:15 am:
First domino among many, many to fall
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 11:30 am:
In my dealings with former Sen Sandoval,I usually felt
like I needed a shower to wash off the bsh*t…
This is more than a one act play…more to follow…
- JennaM - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 12:05 pm:
Now we know where he got the money to throw a lavish wedding for his son. Crocodile tears. Where’s the bologna?
- Stoney - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 12:17 pm:
Wouldn’t it be nice if all our senators and representatives went “Balls to the Walls” looking out for all of their constituents instead of just the business interests who are willing and able to line their pockets?
I’m looking forward to more indictments.
- Motambe - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 12:22 pm:
New agenda item for meetings involving lobbyists and state senators and representatives:
1. Call to order
2. Sound test for those wearing a wire
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
Agenda item # 3. Turn on white noise machine.
- LaSalle - Wednesday, Jan 29, 20 @ 2:29 pm:
==A reasonable question for those who have interacted with Martin Sandoval: when did you learn of Martin Sandoval’s ethical shortcomings?==
When his golf outing had a bigger purse than the Players Championship.