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Guilty

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Quote of the week:

“I don’t understand the verdict,” Sorich defense attorney Thomas Anthony Durkin said of the split result. “I don’t quite understand how they divided the counts up.”

UPDATE: Interesting move by the jurors:

But the jury’s foreman said jurors agreed at the outset not to discuss the defendants’ higher-ups. Jay Olshansky, a University of Illinois-Chicago professor, told the Associated Press that Daley’s name never came up during deliberations.

Olshansky said he knew nothing of Chicago politics before becoming a juror and was “appalled” by what he learned about the city hiring system.

“The overarching thrust of the prosecution’s case was extremely strong,” Olshansky said.

UPDATE: Statement by Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., who has talked about running for mayor.

â€œThese are some of the mayorâ€™s closest friends and political allies. The mayor cannot have it both ways. He canâ€™t boast about being a hands-on mayor who guides the city that works, yet simultaneously claim to be unaware or naive about the corruption and criminality that is occurring within his Administration and multiple city departments.â€

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 5:08 pm

Comments

Mr. Durkin, understand this: It’s another step in the attempt to clean up the cesspool that is Chicago politics. Next up is Victor Reyes.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 5:12 pm
The defense was “they were just following orders from higher up”?? Since when is breaking the law “under orders” considered a defense? Hang on, everyone…..Mr. Fitzgerald is going to be one busy man shortly.

Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 5:20 pm
I’m embrassed that I payed my federal taxes this year.

Comment by Po'd Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 5:20 pm
I think it’s really insignificant.So what if he,Sorich and his gang,were found guilty. What about every city worker, county worker,state worker, and local municipality in Illinois?
This is nothing but a witch hunt, to destroy Daley and destroy the Democratic machine of Illinois who have beaten the Republicans up during every election. I can’t believe that Jesse Jackson Jr. would critize our Mayor, while he does the same things, and does it blantantly.
Hold on tight,guys, the Reublicans are trying to destroy all of us, the middle class, the working class, the unions, and are trying to divide us, on race and economics.If Fitzgerald had his way, Chicago would resemble a third world country, rather than one of the greatest cities of the world.
Hey Fitzgerald,how come you did’nt indict Karl Rove, but found enough evidence on Sorich? Who was more dangerous, Rove outing a CIA agent, or Sorich hiring a blue collar guy doing grunt work??
Yea, I know, it has to be the blue collare guy, because he’s American and is in a union, and pays his taxes and demands his rights,such as Health care insurance and votes. Fitzgerald you and your republicans would rather see these jobs go to illegal aliens, who can’t join unios, won’t have health benifits, will work it for $4.oo hours, and can’t vote so your “fatcats”in coroporate america can privatize city jobs and make a profit only for themselves and there shareholders,middle class Americans be damned!!!

Comment by TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 6:12 pm
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Another one bites the dust! Who’s next???

I think back to all the people who had families to feed and needed a job, were qualified for the job, but did not get the job because these hacks had rigged the system. I hope Judge Coar throws the book at them.

I feel like I did during Watergate, when everyone could see where things were leading, dreaded it in a way, and tensely waited for the next shoe to drop.

I also think back to Gary Skoien, losing his job last year for daring to point his finger at the Mayor.

I don’t know what to do about the others, but at least Skoien got a little vindication today. Things are now very, very VERY close to the top.

Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 6:25 pm
Congressman Jackson has no credibility. His father is trying to ram Commissioner Bobbie Steele in to replace John Stroger, they lied about Strogers medical condition just so Forrest Claypool would not win, Claypool was a better choice than Stroger, He is a real reformer. Daley might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but he is better than most of these Chicago/Cook County crooks.

Comment by Kevin Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 6:36 pm
It’s always the pawns that go to the can … King Daley is likely still safe. He’ll just replace the stooges with new ones to take the fall for him in a few years.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:10 pm
I guess it will be an interesting dinner meeting between Mayor Daley and Birthday Boy Bush after all!

Comment by Randall Sherman, Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:18 pm
What was that Mr. Fitzgerald mumbled fromn the sidelines? I couldn’t quite hear him. Did he say: “Blago, Cini, Monk , and all other bad apples beware; you can run, but you cannot hide. The footsteps are getting closer and closer and closer.”

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:20 pm
The 11th ward shill lawyers in this case did their defendants no just service taking this case to trial. This case had plea deal written all over it. Durkin didn’t even bother to put up a defense-I guess the jury was supposed to aquit on his good looks.

Someone sold these defendants a bill of goods and convinced them to take the fall. All they needed to do was tell the truth and I believe they would have gotten a deal to walk.

Too late now.

Comment by Garp Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:33 pm
David Axelrod has come out of his crypt to defend this Daley Corruption train on Chicago Tonight (catch the replay tonight) but David you got to do something with your comb over, you need a new doo. You look like the Bill Murray charcter Ernie McCracken from the movie Kingpin.

Comment by Harold the Hairdresser Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:46 pm
Do you think that there is some concern at the State’s Attorney’s Office after the front page article in the Sun Times? How long until Fitzgerald starts investigating that office?

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sa06.html

Comment by Sparky Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:06 pm
The major violation is that not only is this patronage politics illegal, it was doubly illegal with the Shakman decree.

These fools had the option to walk away. They chose to follow a different path. It was their choice. It will also be their choice to squeal or do the time. Either way, it is very karmic.

Now its Victor Reyes turn to face the karma of the universe. I think it is going to get ugly.

Comment by Ashur Odishoo Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:09 pm
The trial happened because Robert Sorich wouldn’t cooperate with Fitzgerald’s office. He’s likely to receive the maximum sentence in a last chance effort to get him to testify against others. Kind of like Fawell: until they threatened his fiance, he wasn’t talking.

I’m not a lawyer, so can anybody tell me what the maximum sentence is for mail fraud? Does this put RICO in play when they go after the 11th Ward Org and John Daley?

And does anyone know if the President still had dinner with the Mayor tonight? Awkward.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:20 pm
Yawn……

Hey Fitz and cronies, how did you guys get your jobs?

What a waste of money……convicted of lying to the FBI without a transcript or prove the conversation. What a joke.

Just goes to show you, politicians can’t get a fair trial….and the Fed can and will get you if they have a hard-on for you.

Comment by DuPage Moderate Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:40 pm
Jackson critiqing political hiring is a joke. This from a guy who is trying to build an airport few really want or need solely beacuse it will create, supposedly, 15,000 jobs. Jobs handed out by Jackson’s airport commission. No reformer he.

Comment by M.V. Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:43 pm
Try to avoid the daily medication if you can and look what this man really says, this Lord Mayor who commands such loyalty– to himself. Surpisingly, his words are not even hard to parse–its all right there. I’m sure it was written for him but he and only he can set this tone. See for yourselves: In 1) the first phrase of his statement he feels for these poor men. This is the slight of hand for the rest of the martyrs. But then in the second 2)phrase he pulls out all the stops to make sure that– that which they could never do, can now that they are vanquished be finally be done …fixed alas, with new leadership and staff and much money. Then finally, in 3) the incompetence and disgrace is mercifully swept away so that we may never again be so repulsed.

1) â€œWhile I accept the juryâ€™s decision, I am saddened by the verdict for these men and their families, because Iâ€™ve never known them to be anything but hard-working, and I feel for them at this difficult time.

2)â€œThe Department of Human Resources has a new leadership team with expanded responsibilities, as well as a larger staff and increased budget.

3)â€œWe are committed to pursuing our reforms in the future to ensure that the best qualified applicants are hired.

Comment by Ignatius J. Reily Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:43 pm
Daley was too dumb or arrogant to realize that the Feds meant business after Ryan was indicted. Congrats to Fitzgerald and his team on the convictions in this case. Perhaps Daley and his boys should consider the wacky idea of judging employees and applicants on, say, their merits.

As for Sorich and his crew don’t shed any tears for them. They had every opportunity to roll on Vic Reyes and/or the mayor, but didn’t. They and their attorneys didn’t plea bargain. Now they have been added to the endless sea of bodies tossed under the Daley bus.

dmlawyer, you are one seriously disturbed man. What Aruban law school mailed you your law diploma, if you do in fact have one?

Comment by Tom Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:53 pm
dmlawyer, yeah see what happens to you if he mob threatens your kids. You are silly. We need more John Kass’s, now take your city paycheck and get back to work.

Comment by Wumpus aka Todd Jong Il Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:05 pm
Do you all realize that while you are gloating about the misfortune of others, an appointed, non-elected, unaccountable federal prosecutor with unlimited resources picks and chooses who he takes down by turning a non-criminal system of government hiring (patronage) into a crime simply by labeling it corruption and using the media to villify these people? If we as a society decide to eliminate this type of government, why does it have to be via criminal prosecutions conducted at the whim of an unaccountable, unelected, appointed prosecutor? Doesn’t anyone else find this to be suspect?

Comment by Oh, please... Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:16 pm
These were empty victories for the prosecution. They lost all of their substantive counts.

And Tom, do you really think that the Fed would have plea-bargained all of these guys down to lying to Feds and mail fraud? I think not…and I hope you are not a lawyer as I would think that your advice borders on malpractice.

Comment by DuPage Moderate Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:19 pm
Oh, please…..I find it to be disgusting and an abhorrent abuse of power. Again, I would love to get these prosecutors on the stand and ask them how they got their jobs? Or their first jobs? Or their second jobs? What hypocrites.

Comment by DuPage Moderate Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:21 pm
Rigging tests scores, conducting sham interviews, these went beyond some simple Shakman violations.

Those guilty of an abhorrent abuse of power are Daley and others in his administration who rig the hiring and contracting systems to keep themselves in power.

Comment by Tom Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:38 pm
I was denied a job and for years I thought there was something wrong with me. Was it my looks? was it my lack of knowledge? When talking to some of these “city workers” I could’nt figure out how they got thier job and I did’nt. Some of them could’nt even speak english. They told me I should talk to a guy named Victor or Tony.
Who the hell is tony or victor ? I said to myself.I live on the far south side I don’t know these people. Well later on I foud out who these people were. I don’t have the time nor do I know how to do political work. I’am a father of four and I’m a certified plumber. But I guess that was’nt enough…..maybe it is now??

Comment by Denied a job. Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:40 pm
Yes these men have truly suffered–needlessly and let’s not forget how many before them. But where are their Leaders? It all could have been prevented when it was evident that it would go to trial. But, when the bullets fly, this leadership stands BEHIND its men. It is very very sad. A monumental waste of loyalty. Remember Bush asserting that “He” leaked the name of that CIA agent? Short circuited that whole investigation of his inner circel. But then again love him or hate him– he’s a Texan! We’re dealing with a totally different species here.

Comment by Ignatius J. Reily Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:42 pm
These were exceptionally substantive verdicts. The foreman of the jury said the prosecution had an extremely strong case, he was appalled by what he saw, and it was the first step to exposing the Chicago Democrat patronage machine.

Dupage Moderate - you say you are disgusted, but these guys are going to jail from 5-20 years. Society says that is pretty damn serious.

Comment by Schiznitz Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:44 pm
Oh Please and DuPage:

You guys have got to be kidding. “Poor, poor little picked-on Robbie Sorich,” is that it? Spare us. He is a 100% 11th Ward Machine hack, and now a convicted felon, and he sure didn’t have any sympathy for all those thousands of people that he cheated out of a fair shot at City jobs.

Political hiring below policy making levels is ILLEGAL these days, by consent decrees and U.S. Supreme Court rulings. That is a crippling blow to the Democratic Machine in Chicago and Illinois, I know, but you are just going to have to get used to that.

Want a hankie?

Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:48 pm
BUSH GETS DALEY TO GRIP AT BIRTHDAY PARTY. DALEY…”OK MR.PRES. WADAUWANT TO CALL OFF DA POSSE?” Stop it mr mayor. Your not going to wiggle outta dis wun. Run “fair” election campaigns and stay out of neighborhood elections and let the “people” choose, not your friends!
How can you sleep at night?

Comment by ***FLASH**** Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:26 pm
Topinka’s people must be shaking in their boots given all the political based hiring she’s done in the Treasurer’s office. Shouldn’t she just turn herself in over the hiring of Congressman Bobby Rush’s wife after the 2002 election where she had received Rush’s help? That’s just one example.

And how many promises have been made to state prison employees about what she’ll do if elected?

How is any of that different from these guys today or from Blago?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:29 pm
up next is victor and tony…my my, they sure will look purrty in orange next to bubba!

once they are convicted; cardenas, reboyras and the rest of the hdo puppets are fried, especially the carpet baggers….ahem cardenas.

Comment by silas - assassin opus dei monk Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:35 pm
DuPage, are you a dope? The feds lost all their substantive counts? Have you even read the allegations? Obviously not.

47th, Sorich could conceivably do 20. 6-8 is more likely. The defendants got duped into letting their lawyers roll the dice on the jury not wanting to convict becuase they were just ‘following orders’, but the defense didn’t bother to put anybody on the stand to say who was giving the orders. What a surprise I, almost, feel bad for these guys. Maybe the thought of being away from their families for years will help jog their memories about how things got done in City Hall. And yes, this does establish a RICO predicate.

My last tidbit for you people is that if you look closely, you will see that the Blago situation (investigations, leaked info, facts, etc.) is an almost uncanny synthesis of the Ryan case and the City Hall case. Indictments will come and they will start at a higher level then did either of the other two cases. Don’t be surprised if the first ‘Daley’ indicted has nothing to do with City or County politics. Having cooperating witnesses helps.

Jackson has already folded on the mayoral thing, Louie’s a non-issue, so now who is going to try to grab the ‘reform’ sword and run for Mayor?

Comment by a real JD Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:53 pm
Just watched the Chicago Tonight segment. Needed a shower after it.

Listened to Axelrod shill and shill and shill.
“He’s a great Mayor”, etc.

They all kept tiptoeing around the real issue. We are all tiptoeing around the real issue.

Let’s face it. It is becoming obvious.

He knew. He knew it all. It was his system, and it was against the law. He knew that, too. Thousands were cheated because of it, and he didn’t care, because it promoted his personal power. It was an intentional and direct violation of the law, and he was the leader of it.

He bretrayed us. He betrayed Chicago. He betrayed the law. He is going to go down.

Get ready for it.

He knew. We all know he knew. It’s HIS system, after all.

Comment by These People Have No Shame Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 2:10 am
I trust Rich will soon have a story on this, but Mike Tristano points the finger at Lee Daniels.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-tris07.html

Carl Hansen for interim Cook County Board Prez!!

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 7:51 am
the dearth of qualified candidates for Mayor of the City of Chicago is making me feel weak in the knees–this verdict is sad in that a brilliant politician and outstanding Mayor who has done fabulous things for the city and it’s residents will soon probably no longer do the only job he ever wanted because of his overwhelming desire for political power and control…the Mayor has brought down himself, his allies and their families, and the citizenry of the great City of Chicago and it’s environs…This is a very sad day indeed for Democratic politics in Cook County…

Comment by Bondi Girl Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 8:18 am
Methinks someone from 19 has been chirping quite a bit over the last few months…he’s one tuff and smart SOB who’s not going to let Daleys, Degnan, Reyes, et al. take him down.

He will be the last man standing.

Comment by 19th Ward Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 9:29 am
Axlrod wants fixing jobs to be a civil violation. What that means is Daley can hire whomever he chooses, however he chooses and if the courts find it wrong-the taxpayers foot the bill.

For example, the 19 year old building inspector gets hired for about $100,000 including benfits and the city is sued. Not only do the taxpayers have to pay the kid that can’t perform the job but now they have to pay everyone who was wronged by not getting the job. Daley would get to keep his hack and the taxpayers get reemed even more.

What a great concept. Thanks Captain Comb-over.

Comment by Garp Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 9:59 am
You’d think after how well Dan Webb’s pompous stratagem of “we don’t have to put on a defense because the prosecution’s case is so weak” blew up in his face, Durkin would have learned something from it. But no, he did the same thing. What kind of “representation” are these defendants getting? Is it all about the “all or nothing” egos of their attorneys. These guys should have pled out or put in a defense. The same goes for Ryan. This kind of move may work in defending some weak state prosecution, but the feds don’t bring a case until they have the evidence to convict.

Comment by Not So Fast Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 11:29 am
(to the tune of the Mickey Mouse club)

“Who was the leader of the club with jobs for you and me?

V-I-C-T-O-R R-E-Y-E-S

Who’s the guy with all the clout with lots of money?

V-I-C-T-O-R R-E-Y-E-S

“Victor Reyes (Mayor Daley!)
Victor Reyes (Mayor Daley!)

Forever lets us walk precincts statewide (wide wide wide!)

Come along and sing along
it’s a contract jamboree!!!

V-I-C-T-O-R R-E-Y-E-S

Now it’s time to say goodbye
To friends and family

V-I-C, See you real soon
T-O-R, Why? Because we’ll miss you
R-E-Y-E-S

Comment by Minion Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 12:30 pm
Is this part of the same case where the witness list was faxed over to city hall and passed around?

Also, Skoien is that much closer to having to pay that bounty.

Comment by Rico Shankman aka Wumpus Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 4:26 pm
#1. Who paid for sorich’s lawyer? Daley? LOL
#2. Will employees who got thier jobs through this scam be interviewed by the feds to determine the trail of contacts (Aldermen and senators) to sorich & co ? Out of 5000, I think they’ll get enough to “flip”.
#3. I think they should interview or get statements from the “sponsors” first. Then get statements from the “sponsored” and see if they match up?

Comment by Food for thought... Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 11:06 pm