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“They call him Flipper, Flipper; faster than lightning”

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* Sun-Times last month…

The operator of a Summit bar that’s come under scrutiny as part of a political corruption investigation in the southwest suburbs is an associate of a top political operative for Ald. Edward Burke and state Sen. Martin Sandoval, both facing their own problems with federal investigators.

Mariano “Mario” Martinez — who runs Mars Bar, 6030 S. Harlem Ave. — has personal and professional connections to Rudy Acosta Sr., a Burke precinct captain and Sandoval pal, according to records and interviews.

Martinez, 50, was charged earlier this year with possessing and distributing a kilo of heroin. […]

Martinez has pleaded “not guilty” to the drug charges, though there is a change-of-plea hearing set for next month. His lawyer did not return calls, and the U.S. attorney’s office would not comment.

Martinez told the Sun-Times he’s not cooperating with federal authorities, saying, “I’m going to do my time.”

Oh, a tough guy, eh?

* Sun-Times late yesterday…

A man with ties to a top political operative for Ald. Edward M. Burke and state Sen. Martin Sandoval admitted Wednesday he gave more than $6,500 in bribes to public officials in Summit — and he agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors “in any matter” for which he’s called upon. […]

But if he cooperates as anticipated in his plea agreement, prosecutors have said they will recommend a lighter sentence for his drug crime. Kennelly put off scheduling a sentencing hearing.

In his plea agreement, Martinez acknowledged he gave bribes totaling more than $6,500 to public officials, including an elected official, since 2014. And on March 31, 2017, he had a discussion by phone with “Summit Official B” about getting “Summit Official A” to use his official position to assist Martinez with one of his businesses.

Martinez also provided benefits to the two unnamed officials to gain their support, according to the plea agreement. […]

When Rodriguez was interviewed by agents, they played him a recording of a conversation between two other people, a source said. And questions put to Rodriguez by federal agents focused on Mars Bar.

* Text from a buddy the other day before this story came out…

I still maintain that one of the huge underlying stories here is going to be just how many people flipped on friends and colleagues. As I said to somebody the other evening over drinks, you’re going to see more people flip than you would at a Jesse White Tumbler’s show.

[Headline explained here.]

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:14 am

Comments

IMHO, best headline of the year. It brought back some fond childhood memories.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:21 am
I liked Flipper as a kid!

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:22 am
It’s easy to play the tough guy until the rubber meets the road. Then it’s every dolphin for himself (or herself).

Comment by Al Briteback Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:26 am
Figure some former low level staffer someplace still has the Flippy the Dolphin costume in a closet someplace.

Might be time for Flippy to start showing up at events again but this time wearing a wire.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:33 am
There’s no loyalty when the feds have you on tape.

Comment by Rutro Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:34 am
==$6,500 to public officials==

If elected representatives are going to sell themselves so cheap, they might as well put on clear heels and go up and down North Avenue.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:36 am
Rich……best headline of the Year. And it also brought back some great childhood memories.

Comment by Druid Eye Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:37 am
-he agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors “in any matter” for which he’s called upon.-

Funny how that happens when the reality of your situation starts to sink in.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:37 am
Holy moly, this show was real…I thought I only dreamed about the MeTV commercials.

They made a TV show starring a dolphin…

Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:40 am
===They made a TV show starring a dolphin…===

It was the same show as Lassie, except with a dolphin instead of a collie.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:42 am
“Listen, I ain’t gonna get locked up like Vrdolyak, understand? Eddie is in his 70s, and the guy’s gonna go away again. I don’t need that. So I’m warning everybody, EVERYBODY. It could be my son, it could be anybody. Eddie is waiting for his NEXT sentence, and it ain’t for saying “hello” to some guy like you who was sneaking behind his back selling junk. I don’t need that. Ain’t gonna happen to me, you understand?”

- Alderman Ed Burke, maybe

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:43 am
“Flipper” reruns were up there with “Banana Splits” and “The Three Stooges”

The theme is now haunting me, thanks Rich, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:45 am
Fed charges = Kryptonite to political machine influence.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:48 am
Time to take Flipper to the Shedd Aquarium …

Comment by Billy Sunday Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:48 am
Between this headline and “El Heffe is Tostada” might be the two best all year.

Comment by George Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:49 am
Cue yakety sax on 3,2…

Comment by SpfdNewb Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:49 am
who says things are more $6,500 doesn’t go as far as it used too? Not one but two (or more)public officials bribed for less than ten grand? I hope to see my own bought and paid for public official under the Christmas tree come the morning! The must have gift this year!

Comment by NATTY BOY Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 9:51 am
Both things could be true, of course.

He most definitely would be unlikely to work with federal prosecutors on giving them information as to whom he may have procured that kilo of heroin. By the same token, talking about bribing some state and local officials is unlikely to get him murdered in prison.

Comment by benniefly2 Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:02 am
“It was the same show as Lassie, except with a dolphin instead of a collie.”

That was probably the exact pitch that was made.

Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:04 am
Does anyone else now have the theme song stuck in their head? Thanks for the earworm, Rich. Merry Christmas to you, too.

Comment by Father Ted Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:16 am
===Does anyone else now have the theme song stuck in their head? ===

It’s been in my head since last night when I read the CST story. So, welcome to my world. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:17 am
The heart palpitations that will take place in the political and business world if a “Flipper” is someone other than a low level bar operator.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:21 am
“faster than lightening”

Politifact rates this claim ‘mostly false’.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:22 am
“No one you see is smarter than he…..”
Damn.

Comment by bogey golfer Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:29 am
“faster than lightening”

That falsehood absolutely infuriated a young MrJM.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:43 am
Flipper: A porpoise with a purpose!

Comment by VoteQuimby Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:49 am
- Eddie is in his 70s-

Eddie V. will be 82 on December 28. But, let’s not think negative. Just the good times. People helping people.

https://tinyurl.com/tw4qtty

Comment by Steve Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 10:54 am
- Steve -

I took literary license, riffing off a quote, ya do that sometimes.

In 2016, he was 79.

To add to your buzz kill, you link to a Facebook picture?

Whatever gives ya glee.

I’m done, no need to respond. Thank you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 11:00 am
Used to watch that show as a kid. As I recall, the family was a single dad who was a park ranger/game warden in Florida. He had 2 sons, 1 a teenager and a preteen that had the dolphin as a pet.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 11:05 am
47th Ward -
Whatever Flipper said, we know it wasn’t “Timmy fell down a well” …

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 11:30 am
“Frankie, you were always interested in politics, history….”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64-PGJpKQZg

Comment by Leave a light on George Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 11:34 am
===Whatever Flipper said, we know it wasn’t “Timmy fell down a well”===

Yeah, well, let’s see Lassie save you from a shark attack.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 11:52 am
Mario, The word of the day is “Proffer”.

My advice? You don’t mess with the G. And in this case G doesn’t mean gang or gangster.

Comment by Winderweezle Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 12:14 pm
A remake crossover should be made where Lassie encounters a Shark and Flipper confronts a Mountain Lion.

Comment by A Guy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 12:27 pm
Flipper would be an awesome name for this entire FBI operation.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 12:31 pm
=A remake crossover should be made where Lassie encounters a Shark and Flipper confronts a Mountain Lion.=

Followed by an episode where Wile E. Coyote catches and destroys the damn Roadrunner. Just once I’d like to see an Acme gadget work.

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 1:17 pm
A Guy -
SYFY special - Lassie & Flipper vs. Sharknado.

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 1:17 pm
Now I am left hoping the next story in this investigation related to the AllStar Bar and Grill will have the headline Sex Bomb.

(See this for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpUufEMnU3w .)

Comment by Rich Hill Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 1:31 pm
==SYFY special - Lassie & Flipper vs. Sharknado.==

Now you’re talkin’. Maybe even include SpongeBob and Barney getting a little Amityville Hello.

Comment by A Guy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 2:23 pm
Sing to the tune of the “Flipper” theme song:
“Cause his nickname is Flipper, Flipper, Flipper
Faster than lightning,
But this time the Feds,
Are smarter than he…
And they made an offer, he can’t refuse to, leave jail early, by squealing loudly!”

Comment by revvedup Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 2:37 pm
I’m now stuck with the Banana Splits theme. Tra-La-La, Tra-La-La-La, One banana, two banana, three banana four.

Comment by Proud Sucker Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 2:49 pm
=== I’m now stuck with the Banana Splits theme==

I’m not going thru all this alone, - Proud Sucker -

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 3:01 pm
He probably had a change of heart when he found out he wasn’t looking at minimum security public corruption time for having that much heroin.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 3:19 pm