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AG Madigan won’t give back cash

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Illinois

This is kind of a lame excuse for not returning money or giving it to charity. But I can understand why Madigan wouldn’t want to prejudice the case by taking an action like that.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has no plans to return campaign contributions from a suburban consulting firm that her office is investigating for deceptive marketing practices, her spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Records show Madigan received $19,300 in donations from Buffalo Grove-based International Profit Associates or owner John Burgess during her campaign for attorney general in 2002, before the investigation began.

“Since taking office she has repeatedly refused to take money from IPA or Mr. Burgess because of the investigation,” Madigan spokeswoman Melissa Merz said. “As a candidate, she did not know they would someday be under investigation. She doesn’t have a crystal ball.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill., said Monday that she would donate to charity $4,000 in contributions she received in 2003 and 2004 from Burgess. Her decision came after reading a story Sunday in The New York Times detailing various allegations against IPA — including a sexual harassment lawsuit it faces from 113 former female employees. […]

Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2002 returned $125,000 in campaign contributions from IPA, campaign spokeswoman Sheila Nix said.

Other Illinois elected officials whose campaigns have accepted donations from IPA or its executives include U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. ($2,750); state Rep. Sidney Mathias, R-Arlington Heights ($27,500); state Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora ($55,050); and Cook County State’s Attorney Dick Devine ($18,500).

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 10, 06 @ 4:13 am

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No comments? Wow.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 10, 06 @ 3:06 pm

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