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* UPDATED x1 * Redacted Sandoval search warrant released

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A search warrant executed on State Sen. Martin Sandoval’s Capitol office last week shows federal authorities were looking into “items related to any official action taken in exchange for a benefit.”

Items included those related to five unnamed Illinois Department of Transportation employees, a highway company, several unnamed lobbyists, “any business owned and controlled by Martin Sandoval,” several municipalities and a political organization, among other entities. Names were redacted by state officials after the Sun-Times filed a Freedom of Information Act request last week to the office of the Illinois Senate Democrats.

Officials obtained several items from Sandoval’s office, including several iPhones, a laptop computer and an Apple computer, as well as a “Friends of Martin Sandoval” spreadsheet from December 2017, filed labeled “IDOT,” USB drives and shredded paper. They also seized a statement of economic and documents referencing the town of Cicero. Sandoval has had a lucrative contract for years with the town to provide translation services for the town newsletter.

* This is one gigantic probe…

There appear to be 20 specific people referenced in the Sandoval warrant, all unnamed or redacted: 6 IDOT officials, 2 lobbyists, 1 town president, 1 town attorney, 1 construction company official, 2 highway company officials, 3 people labeled “associates, and 4 “officials”

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) October 1, 2019

* I transcribed the search warrant because it’s pretty interesting…

1. Items related to [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] Official A, [redacted] Official B, any business or partner related to any of those individuals, [redacted] Inc., [redacted] Official A’s company, [redacted] any employee, officer or representative of [redacted] [redacted] a [redacted] lounge, and/or any issue or supported by any of those businesses or individuals, including but not limited to [redacted] [redacted] .

2. Items related to [redacted] Lobbyist A, and or Lobbyist B.

3. Items related to [redacted] Inc., [redacted] Inc., any business owned or controlled by Martin Sandoval, any client of such business, any person or entity that has made payment to or agreed to make payment to any such business, any official action related to such businesses, Municipality 7 Attorney, Municipality 7 President, Municipality 7 President’s Political Organization, Municipality 7 Attorney’s law firm, and/or Political Action Committee 1.

4. Items related to [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] and/or Concrete Company A.

5. Items related to [redacted], [redacted], any employee officer, partner, representative, or business related to either of those individuals, [redacted] [redacted] Inc. [redacted], any employee officer, partner or representative of those businesses, [redacted] and/or any issue or supported by any of those businesses or individuals, including but not limited to [redacted].

6. Items related to [redacted], any employee officer, partner, representative, or business related to [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] LLC [redacted] Corporation, any employee, officer or representative of any of those businesses, and/or any issue or supported by any of those businesses or individuals.

7. Items related to Construction Company A Official 1, Highway Company A Official 1, Highway Company A Official 2, any employee, officer, partner, representative, or business related to either of those individuals, Construction Company A, Highway Company A, any employee, officer or representative of any of those businesses, and/or any issue or supported by any of those businesses or individuals.

8. Items related to [redacted], [redacted], [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] [redacted], [redacted] Associate A, [redacted] Associate B, [redacted] Associate C, any employee officer, partner or representative of those businesses related to any of those individuals, [redacted] Corporation, [redacted][redacted] LLC, [redacted] Corporation, [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] Inc., [redacted] Club, the [redacted] [redacted] Foundation, [redacted] Corporation, [redacted] Companies, [redacted] Ltd., [redacted][redacted] Associate A’s Company, any employee, officer or representative of any of those businesses, and/or any issue or supported by any of those businesses or individuals, including but not limited to [redacted].

9. Items related to [redacted] [redacted] any employee, officer or representative of any of those businesses, [redacted] Official A, [redacted] Official B, [redacted] Official C, [redacted] Official D, and/or any issue or supported by any of those businesses or individuals, including but not limited to [redacted].

10. Items related to IDOT Official A, IDOT Official B, IDOT Official D, IDOT Official E, and/or IDOT Official F.

11. Items related to any official action taken in exchange for a benefit.

Whew.

Wonder what the dealio is with IDOT Official C.

…Adding… Here’s the list of seized items…

He had five mobile phones in his office?

*** UPDATE *** Jordan Abudayyeh at the Governor’s office…

This administration expects public servants to be held to the highest ethical standards, and it is unconscionable to use elected office for monetary gain in any way. State agencies will fully cooperate with any investigation. Corruption and self-dealing will not be tolerated, and employees who have fallen short of these ethical standards will be disciplined, up to and including termination, and should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 5:48 pm

Comments

iDOT Official C rolled on the rest?

Comment by Bruce (no not him) Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 5:53 pm
Rich isn’t joking here. The federal criminal laws cited for the basis of the search warrant is serious stuff. 18 U.S.C. § 371—Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. 8 U.S.C. Section 1341—Elements of Mail Fraud. “There are two elements in mail fraud: (1) having devised or intending to devise a scheme to defraud (or to perform specified fraudulent acts), and (2) use of the mail for the purpose of executing, or attempting to execute, the scheme (or specified fraudulent acts).” Plus more….

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 5:56 pm
===This is one gigantic probe…===

It’s like Sandoval allegedly created a whole corrupt web of those willing to engage, for any number of rationales.

If Sandoval kept records to corroborate, and a map to everyone else, it’s kinda reminiscent of the “Scott Fawell/ SoS Favor List”.

You’d think “writing” anything down would be a no-no. Spreadsheets and computer drives, someone learned nothing from Fawell.

If this turns out to be a “Kansas City Underboss keeping receipts from his trips to Vegas” thingy, yikes, Sandoval will sink the whole thing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:06 pm
I would bet these IDOT guys or gals are not you local yard people. To influence contracts we are talking at the district or Springfield level.

Comment by Nieva Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:17 pm
Whom were the iPhones issued to?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:23 pm
If i were one of those IDOT officials, I’d be turning stoolie in heartbeat and offer everything Official C didn’t.

Comment by Glengarry Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:27 pm
===Wonder what the dealio is with IDOT Official C.===

Dropping dimes like raindrops?

Filling holes like “IDOT”?

Completing blanks like “The Match Game”?

The Feds don’t skip letters like a 3-year old learnin’ the alphabet.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:27 pm
To think that wired up Chicago Alderman Danny Solis was Marty Sandoval’s campaign fund treasurer until 2009… now this.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:32 pm
===2009===

Ten years ago.

We have no idea how this got started, but I know it’s far reaching, that Sandoval is seemingly the pivot point to this investigation, and if was someone dropping dimes, we’re gonna know when we know, like when we’ll figure out why IDOT Official C disappears.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:35 pm
Those officials will go and maybe we can get some actual transportation professionals. I would suggest Missouri. They have been impressive during their budget crisis.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:39 pm
Paging President Cullerton - time to drop Sandoval from the Transportation Committee.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 6:59 pm
== maybe we can get some actual transportation professionals=
Good thinking but seeing that they brought in CHA execs to run the Tollway I wouldn’t expect something different here.

Comment by IT Guy Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 7:10 pm
Better call Saul.

Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 7:22 pm
Thanks IT.The only good thing is he thought he had to bring in someone non tollway. We really need someone outside of state for that Department.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 7:35 pm
This is about the pigeons, isn’t it…

Comment by Ok Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 7:41 pm
==He had five mobile phones in his office?==

Friends and family plan?

Comment by Rich Hill Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 7:54 pm
5 phones - likely burners. Some folks should just leave being a criminal to the professionals. This guy obviously needed better laundering advice, as well as a short course in dealing with stoolies.

Comment by Captain Obvious Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:42 pm
It looks like Steve was correct. Somebody owes him an apology.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:44 pm
“He had five mobile phones in his office?”
by the model nos. those are old phones. Iphone 3 and 4 etc.
“5 phones - likely burners.” good chance.

Comment by Bruce (no not him) Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:45 pm
So far not one comment on how this is JB Pritzker’s IDoT? Just a few months after the gas tax hike and $45 billion in capital gravy got slopped around, 6 officials high up enough to make decisions that matter are being investigated by the feds in a sweeping probe? Maybe while he nurses his broken leg, the Gov could work at a mobile office type set up at a couple places that seem to need some micromanaging…two days a week at DCFS, two days a week at IDOT, and one day working from home figuring out how he let everything get so out of control.

Comment by Yuge News Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:46 pm
I wonder if Rep.Louie Arroyo will get caught up in this, He has relatives at IDOT and was in hot water a few years ago for trying to get Metra to hire someone recommended by the Latino caucus.

Comment by Ogden Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:46 pm
Just Me- he is also his Majority Caucus Whip. May be the hold up.

Comment by Hamil Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:47 pm
I truly believe JB didn’t know this sort of stuff happened. The only problem is. Governors own.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:51 pm
Things to consider. Burke got raided after months of wiretaps. Does that mean Marty was wiretapped ? Who knows. I will grant that OW is right, 10 years is a long time ago to bring charges (unless someone is charged with a continual criminal enterprise which isn’t likely). But, Alderman Danny Solis as part of his cooperation agreement would have to tell the feds everything he’s ever done illegally with anyone. Does any of this mean that Marty is guilty of anything ? Not necessarily. Just remember that U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was found not guilty of all counts. So, Marty Sandoval deserves the presumption of innocence especially since he hasn’t been charged with anything.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:55 pm
well that is disturbing and sooooo interesting! is that the most redacted such item ever? is there a bingo board with guess the people (I know, banned for life for mentioning names, but you know are all guessing!)

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 8:58 pm
Steve. That was darn humble and an appropriate response. Your comments here of late have been the best. Keep it up.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 9:00 pm
JB can’t “own” this (he presumably had nothing to do with this), but he’s stuck dealing with the fallout. Finding out that IDOT is part of a multi-million dollar corruption scheme after he just okayed handing them billions is gonna go over like a lead balloon.

Comment by revvedup Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 9:00 pm
- Steve -

That’s probably the best and most honest comment you’ve had on all this. Well said. Honestly.

Still, no one is right or wrong until pure speculation is taken as gospel fact to a hypothetical.

All i do know?

What I’m reading right now, and how it’s playing out with the docs and such we’re seeing.

IDOT Official C is far-far more interesting now than Solis. It’s like an unspoken Easter egg that’s both glaring and hidden simultaneously.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 9:02 pm
Another Easter egg?

===* 1951 - Interference with commerce by threats or violence===

Did Sandoval “lean” on IDOT Official C, dropped the dime, but in doing so also got wrapped up in this too?

I dunno. Nope. No idea.

It’s fairly interesting to the plot? Dunno.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 9:10 pm
Pete here:
My kids got nothing to do with this. It’s Vondras that’s been steeling

Comment by The Ghost of Pete Palumbo Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 9:59 pm
Very interesting paragraph in the Sun-Times story about the warrant:

== Sandoval and IDOT officials have long clashed over whether to allow recycled asphalt shingles in road construction, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office. Sandoval pushed for it, while IDOT opposed it. Sandoval tried several times to insert his position into the state’s capital bill but failed. ==

Maybe I missed it, but I haven’t heard that before. Looks like JB’s office is trying to create daylight between IDOT and Sandoval. Wouldn’t be surprised to see more unattributed quotes like that coming out of the guv’s office in the coming days.

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 10:05 pm
===Does any of this mean that Marty is guilty of anything ? Not necessarily.===
Steve, I agree with you that everything is speculation. But that being said I have known Marty for over 20 something years. I actually also sometimes like the guy. But other times… not so much. And I stopped having meetings with him probably 15 or more years ago unless there were at least 4-5 people in the room. I can’t remember what it was exactly but after one meeting those many years ago I just made a conscience decision to stick to my rules about meeting with him.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Oct 1, 19 @ 10:30 pm
Miguel Santiago beat the rap 20 years ago

Comment by Eire17 Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 7:37 am
Ruh roh

Comment by anonomoose Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 9:12 am
- OurMagician - Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 7:59 am:

=Definitely sounds like a guy who should be appointed to the Lincoln Library Board, maybe there’s another hat they could be swindled on=

#FakeNews…Go read the post from a few days ago…. Library Board Martin Sandoval is not the Same Martin Sandoval that is a member of the Illinois Senate. {sigh}

Comment by {Sigh} Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 9:14 am
===I’ve heard===

So you don’t know.

Speculating isn’t at all great when it’s hearsay.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 9:38 am