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* Man, this is one irresponsible lede…
State Sen. Donne Trotter took $2,000 in cash from a convicted felon who got the money from an undercover FBI agent posing as an Indian businessman, lawyers for a South Side man allege.
And C. Gregory Turner’s attorneys hinted that other Chicago politicians also were approached as part of a federal sting in 2009.
So, Trotter allegedly took two grand during a federal sting operation five years ago but the feds never busted him?
C’mon. He’s a state legislator. If they had him dead to rights, or even if they only kinda had him dead to rights, off to the big house he’d go.
Everybody knows I’m a friend of Trotter’s. But as I tell all my friends, if you screw up there’s nothing I can or will do about it. It will be what it will be. This doesn’t look like one of those cases.
* The allegation…
According to Turner’s lawyers, Prince Asiel Ben Israel, Turner’s co-defendant, met at the Trump Hotel restaurant in 2009 with an FBI agent who posed as an Indian businessman and gave Ben Israel cash to pass along to Illinois politicians in exchange for future political favors. Ben Israel later told authorities he gave $2,000 of the money to Trotter, a longtime friend, but Trotter has denied any knowledge of the cash payment, Turner’s attorneys said.
* And the feds are standing by Trotter…
Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas acknowledged Ben Israel was caught up in the undercover sting but said there was no evidence Trotter ever accepted any of the bribe money.
* And…
Ben Israel has since pleaded guilty to failing to register as an agent of Mugabe, and [Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas] said that there was no evidence of any “quid pro quo” Trotter performed in return for the alleged bribe.
* Trotter’s attorney…
“I learned a long time ago not to answer questions that are baseless,” [Thomas Anthony Durkin] said.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 1:34 pm
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I saw this story yesterday, I believe from the Tribune, and thought basically the same thing in that it was irresponsible as hell to report like fact.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Rich, what pub. is the top lede in? My link just kicks back to Cap Fax.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 1:39 pm
It’s from the S-T political portal.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 1:41 pm
Word,
It’s the Sun-Times: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/29942315-418/lawyers-allege-state-sen-donne-trotter-took-2000-in-fbi-sting.html#.VBsnbyWFvFY
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 1:42 pm
Sorry, link is fixed now. Thanks!
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 1:46 pm
The Sun=Times has discovered a gold mine of story ideas.
I don’t think I ever covered a trial where a defense attorney didn’t say “somebody else did it.”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 2:08 pm
This sounds like entrapment by the FBI, no??
Comment by Blow The Whistle Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 2:25 pm
If the feds had the goods, he’d be gone. They didn’t. He isn’t. Put a lid on the box and move on. Case closed.
Comment by A guy... Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 2:39 pm
== If the feds had the goods, he’d be gone. They didn’t. He isn’t. Put a lid on the box and move on. Case closed.==
I enthusiastically second the motion, with the amendment that it apply to all public officials who have ever been mentioned in the media as “under investigation” even though no charges are ever brought.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 3:30 pm
In my mind you are all missing an important point; he paid a visit and consorted with Mugabe, a leading human rights violator. Google what Mugabe thinks about gays. I’ll give you three guesses 1)torture, 2)imprisonment, 3)death. The senator’s chosen company makes me ill. How will he explain this to Rep. Cassidy or Rep Harris? In my mind the 2K is irrelevant. MUGABE? Seriously?
Comment by LOBO Y OLLA Thursday, Sep 18, 14 @ 3:50 pm
The irresponsibility of that lede is mindboggling. If I were Trotter I would sue the the bum for defamation (although he’s likely judgment proof) and press for perjury charges to be brought.
Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, Sep 19, 14 @ 9:15 am