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On a warm Tuesday evening in late June 2019, state Sen. Emil Jones III walked out onto the patio at a suburban steakhouse and into an hourslong dinner that would set the table for alleged bribes — and subsequent federal corruption charges.
Jones, D-Chicago, dressed in a polo shirt that matched the orange rind in one of his dinner companion’s condensation-glazed cocktails, had been asked to the meal by his colleague, state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, in order to broker an understanding with Omar Maani, the co-founder of a Chicago-based red-light camera company.
In three of the General Assembly’s previous four legislative sessions, Jones had proposed measures that Maani and his company, SafeSpeed, viewed as an existential threat to the red-light camera industry. But only one had ever gotten even partially through the legislative process, thanks to Sandoval’s tight control over the Senate Transportation Committee, which he chaired. […]
Maani had just finished explaining that he and Sandoval had been friends for about a decade and were “about as close as people can get.” A few minutes later, Sandoval extended Jones an invitation into that relationship.
But Maani, who had been bribing Sandoval for years, was motivated by something other than friendship — or even protecting his business. The red-light camera entrepreneur was acting under instructions from the FBI, with whom he’d been cooperating since agents knocked on his door one early morning in January 2018.
Jones and Sandoval were two of “dozens and dozens and dozens” of others Maani secretly recorded for the feds’ investigation, he told a federal jury Wednesday as Jones’ corruption trial kicked off at the federal courthouse in Chicago.
* On the recording, Sandoval described his relationship with Sen. Jones III to Maani “We deal with politics and special interests kind of in the same way. Because, you know what we both have in common? Both of our daddies was Emil Jones [Jr.].” Sun-Times Federal Court Reporter Jon Seidel…
Maani, in court, is asked what he thought Sandoval meant when he said "we deal with politics and special interests kind of in the same way."
Maani: "They were open to accepting personal benefits."
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) April 9, 2025
* A few weeks later, Maani and Jones met for dinner again. Sun-Times…
Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III raved in 2019 to a red-light camera executive about Steak 48, the swanky downtown Chicago steakhouse where Jones said he’d visited “countless, countless, countless, countless” times — and always got the “Wagyu filet.”
Jones sat down for yet another dinner there on July 17, 2019. Red-light camera executive Omar Maani joined him. They complained about the rain outside. But Maani also told Jones he’d used Jones’ name to claim the reservation. He said the staff replied, “Senator Jones?”
Their chat then turned to fundraising. Maani asked how much he could raise for Jones “in an ideal world.” Jones initially told him, “I don’t give folks numbers. … I’m not greedy.” But eventually, Jones gave in and said, “If you can raise me five grand, that’d be good.”
“Done,” Maani told him.
* Sen. Jones then asked about his intern who was looking for work. The Tribune’s Jason Meisner…
Then Jones says, "But most importantly I have an intern working in my office."
"Ok."
He's in school majoring in engineering, Jones says. "Do you all have any positions available?"— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) April 9, 2025
* Tribune…
In his opening statement to the jury Wednesday morning, Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri said Jones “knew exactly what he was doing” when he agreed to keep evidence of the relationship with Maani out of public view. […]
Jones, meanwhile, has maintained his innocence. His lawyers have indicated they intend to argue that his actions were business as usual and that the government is trying to stretch political give-and-take into bribery.
Jones’ defense attorney Joshua Adams said in his opening remarks that the case was one more instance in Maani’s long history of “serial bribery” around the Chicago area, and he reminded the jury that Maani had agreed to cooperate with the government to avoid consequences for other charges against him.
“In exchange for wearing a recording device and following the FBI’s orders, he doesn’t have to spend one day in jail, one night in a federal prison,” Adams said. “He gets to walk away from all of this.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:04 am
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Absent more, what is the big deal about asking for a job for his intern. I thinking helping people get a real job should be a priority of politicians. I did not read anything that said get him a job and I will pass a bill for you.
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:24 am
That’s some pretty evocative and poetic description regarding his polo shirt, not something you normally see in a crime article. Made me smile. This case looks to have a much clearer narrative than the Madigan trial. There’s not much nuance about “gimmee five grand and a job for my intern.”
Rich has occasionally mentioned his surprise at how cheaply a pol can set his price and I too marvel at how little it takes for someone to risk throwing everything away. I think it’s coming from an air of invincibility and ego about being too smart and too protected for too long.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:29 am
=”we deal with politics and special interests kind of in the same way.”=
So sick of all the “colorful language’ that our corrupt pols hide themselves in. They are inevitably trying to be cute to avoid admitting publicly that they are crooked. It can be dramatic or funny in the movies, but in real life it is so sad.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 11:55 am
Maybe it’s because I’m a James Ellroy guy, but how about leaving the floral prose to the romance writers?
As far as the rest of it, sounds like Jones wanted to play high roller not knowing he was simply second drawer material.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:00 pm
“Rich has occasionally mentioned his surprise at how cheaply a pol can set his price … .”
History shows St. Louis alderman have set an even cheaper price.
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:14 pm
The defendant is just a nepo baby. He was born on third base, and got himself picked off. What a waste.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:15 pm
There is no doubt that what Senator Jones did was unethical and not how I would want my elected representative behaving. That said, if what Senator Jones did is a crime then every member of the GA should be on trial….
Every election, every year these members answer political questionnaires that directly ask them “will you support XX bill”. Answer those questions wrong…..no money for you.
What is the difference?
Comment by Lonely Lisle Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:48 pm
=Rich has occasionally mentioned his surprise at how cheaply a pol can set his price=
I think they make it up in volume and Wagyu.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 12:52 pm
==Maybe it’s because I’m a James Ellroy guy, but how about leaving the floral prose to the romance writers?==
My first thought too. Really takes away from the article, adds absolutely nothing.
Comment by Alton Sinkhole Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 1:05 pm
I’m sick of greedy Illinois politicians and more tired of Illinois residents who are ok with this behavior. Short of a faith revival in Springfield I won’t hold my breath for change.
Comment by Center Drift Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 2:04 pm
===“In exchange for wearing a recording device and following the FBI’s orders, he doesn’t have to spend one day in jail, one night in a federal prison,” Adams said. “He gets to walk away from all of this.” ===
That’s how turning state’s evidence works?
Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 2:25 pm
I appreciate the prose. It sets the scene for me. I work with clients in Jones’ district — many are destitute with no opportunities — living below the poverty threshold. And guess who is hardest hit by red light cameras. This article makes the contrast about what their elected official was thinking about. Not his constituents. Shameful.
Comment by state worker Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 2:31 pm
Why is this guy still collecting a state salary?
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 2:50 pm
If politicians can be put in jail for asking for campaign dollars — what’s next? Trump is committing grand larceny in DC, and the feds are chasing Emil Jones JR.? Really?
Comment by Guns of Brixton Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 5:46 pm
Is Jones getting an excused absence this week?
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Apr 10, 25 @ 7:54 pm