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UPDATE: Click here to read the indictment.
* Hooboy…
///BREAKING/// Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval charged in federal court with bribery involving his support of the red-light camera industry as head of the Transportation Committee. He was charged in an information, a sign he’s cooperating and will plead guilty. Story to come.
— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) January 27, 2020
* More…
The indictment also says Sandoval filed a false 2017 income tax return, in which he said his income was $125,905, when he "knew that the total income substantially exceeded that amount."
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) January 27, 2020
Rumors have been circulating for months now that Sandoval flipped and started cooperating after the FBI raided his Springfield office in September. That would certainly seem to be the case given how these charges were brought.
— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) January 27, 2020
…Adding… Sun-Times…
The feds filed the charges against Sandoval on Monday in a two-page, lightly detailed information, a document that typically signals a defendant’s intention to plead guilty. His attorney, Dylan Smith, declined to comment.
No court hearings have been scheduled in Sandoval’s case.
The bribery count against Sandoval alleges that, between 2016 and September 2019, he “corruptly solicited, demanded, agreed to accept and accepted” money for “continued support for the operation of red-light cameras in the State of Illinois, including opposing legislation adverse to the interests of the red-light camera industry.”
Sandoval is also accused of filing a 2017 income tax return that said his total income was $125,905, when he “knew that the total income substantially exceeded that amount.”
…Adding… Arraignment tomorrow…
Allegedly corrupt Illinois state senator is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at 11 am https://t.co/iEgeSN7xhz
— Dan Mihalopoulos (@dmihalopoulos) January 27, 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:42 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Just in time to ruin someone’s lunch, or maybe several someone’s.
Looks like the onion will be peeled back some more.
Comment by Fav human Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:50 am
Things I know;
=== A brief, two-count indictment against Sandoval just hit. The charges revolve around Sandoval’s alleged “continued support for the operation of red-light cameras in the State of Illinois, including opposing legislation adverse to the interests of the red-light-camera industry.”===
and…
=== Though the charging document is labeled “indictment” on the docket, Sandoval has actually been charged by way of an information — which means he’s likely planning to plead guilty. His attorney has declined to comment.===
It’s the red light camera for Sandoval. It’s bribery with Sandoval, it also appears Sandoval is pleading.
Is is an offshoot of other things?
That I don’t know, but this will begin some sunshine.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:53 am
The most obvious question is who did he accept the money from? Safespeed? A lobbyist? Someone else? Probably Safespeed or Omar Maani, but who knows.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:59 am
penalties for 18 U.S. Code § 666. Theft or bribery concerning programs receiving Federal funds
“shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both”
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:00 pm
We seem to have an effective US attorney of late . Our state Attorney General s always seem to be MIA on corruption
Comment by Kauaijim Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:02 pm
Did everyone miss that John Bills (Chicago DOT) got 10 years for similar activities with the red light camera company? Isn’t the news provided so we can all learn from it? https://abc7chicago.com/news/ex-cdot-official-gets-10-years-in-chicago-red-light-camera-scandal/1489610/
Comment by NoGifts Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:10 pm
- Kauaijim -
Do yourself a solid. Read the constitution. Report back the job of the Illinois Attorney General.
My next question is who will Sandoval roll on, was that “other” Senator who was wearing a wire involved in a bigger net here too?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:12 pm
The CEO of Safespeed is married to a top Exelon executive. Just saying
Comment by Yours Truly Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:13 pm
“The CEO of Safespeed is married to a top Exelon executive. Just saying”
I was literally just typing the same thing. And there are many more connections and commonalities than that. Tip of the iceberg.
Comment by Andy's Shadow Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:19 pm
Kauaijim -
“Do yourself a solid. Read the constitution. Report back the job of the Illinois Attorney General.”
The consult the history books. Then AG Madigan’s people were investigating Blago’s “interesting” hiring, and stepped down at the request of US Attorney for Northeastern Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald. In case you don’t remember him, check out the link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Fitzgerald#Illinois
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:19 pm
A week of grounded, reality-based Kass columns and Tribbie editorials ahead, I’m sure.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:21 pm
- Anyone Remember -
You’re on it. Was goons follow up on the whole “federal” indictment thingy but you handled that business perfectly.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:24 pm
=stepped down at the request of US Attorney for Northeastern Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald=
And frankly that’s how you want this handled. The U.S. Attorney is appointed and not elected. It minimizes the likelihood of partisanship. They also have the resources including career investigators and prosecutors to take on these types of matters.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:28 pm
For many Illinois Democrats, this causes more palpitations. And there’s much more bad news likely to come. #DripDripDrip
Comment by Anon y mouse Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:31 pm
Of course Sandoval is cooperating and singing. His question for the Feds is likely the same as for everyone else, “What’s in it for me?”
Comment by A Guy Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:39 pm
And he thought he had problems because someone pretended to shoot the Trump impersonator at his golf outing.
Comment by Been There Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:41 pm
Red light camera fines should be refunded and the camera use suspended until a corruption free framework is implemented for the camera use.
Comment by A Jack Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:53 pm
So the tweedledee and tweedledum of the capital bills are cooperating. This is bigger than red light cameras
Comment by Capitol Text Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:58 pm
Sandoval always had two squares on my corruption bingo card - Senator most likely to be indicted and Senator most likely to flip when indicted.
Comment by Rasselas Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:01 pm
Without the feds where would we be?
you can create an ethics law, an ethics commission, various inspector generals, an attorney general, separate procurement review through a CPO, a procurement policy board, political donation restrictions, registration requirements, disclosure requirements, and as we see, with each new scandal, they’re all a charade. These ethics bodies go after the little things to provide the appearance of efficacy, but they stay far away from anything risky or substantive.
you want truth and justice in Illinois, you gotta call the feds.
Comment by Merica Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:02 pm
As a newcomer to the state, I’m really surprised in my naivete how ever present blatant corruption here appears to be. As it seems so pervasive, I guess there’s no reason for over-concern or panic.
That said, I’m taken aback that the red light cameras (red light cash machines) are not considered to be a financial/legal liability at this point and are still deployed at all.
Comment by Maryjane Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:09 pm
==The CEO of Safespeed is married to a top Exelon executive==
Will Kwame, Mendoza, et al be refunding their contributions from said CEO?
Comment by City Zen Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:10 pm
Sandoval was an obvious quid pro quo fan. Even in the public hearings about the capital bill he stated his opinion that local communities whose reps and senators don’t vote for the capital bill should not get any projects funded. That statement was just a peek into his soul and real life.
Comment by Just a guy... Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:24 pm
whether the onion gets peeled lots or people flip, this much I know…a greedy and deeply not nice person was charged today. and I feel not one bit sorry for his mean…..
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:37 pm
Is income tax always the first go-to for leverage? Asking for a friend.
Comment by walker Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:59 pm
Curious to know by just how much his 2017 income exceeded $125k. He should certainly have to pay back the taxes on that. Maybe a few extra charitable contributions to our pension debt for good measure! Say at least the extra time he was compensated for after announcing his resignation. Let’s hear how you sing Marty!
Comment by Chambanalyst Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 2:08 pm
Check the safe
Comment by Ok Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 2:16 pm
Oh come now, this is just political log-rolling. /s
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 2:31 pm
== As a newcomer to the state, I’m really surprised … ==
-Maryjane- , it may be cynical but people pretty much used to figure on a 10% “overhead” (read corruption surcharge) in at least Chicago / Cook County. And it was just accepted as business as usual as long as things got done and services were delivered.
The Chicago mayors who lost elections were usually voted out for failing to deliver services; a certain garbage pickup problem and a plow problem during a major snow are two instances that come to mind as costing reflections.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 4:02 pm
== Is income tax always the first go-to for leverage? ==
That’s how the Feds got Capone … and a bunch of others ever since. Plus it is often easier to prove than a RICO case.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 4:10 pm
darn autocorrect … re-elections not reflections
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 4:11 pm
hard to believe such an honest man and selfless public servant would run afoul of the law. there must be some mistake here.
Comment by jim Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 4:35 pm
- RNUG
Thanks for your response. I comment nearly every week in praise of the garbage collectors. My better half who lived here for years before, has shared the same sentiments that you shared.
Comment by Maryjane Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 4:50 pm
I did not like working with Marty. But due to professional requirements, I learned to tolerate him.
I am now recalibrating what I can and cannot tolerate going forward. Never ignore that voice in my head again.
Comment by otherwise Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 5:42 pm
Remember people its the FBI the B team of the justice system and indictments are only charges
No I don’t support Sandoval but the Facebook hair on fire posters are out in force
Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 7:08 pm
Two thoughts:
Will the arraignment take longer than one of Sandoval’s Transportation Committee hearings?
The lesson, if you’re paying attention, is never ever point the tequila gun at someone pretending to be the President.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 7:29 pm
@ Michelle Flaherty: ditto…I feel that triggered it…a nationwide news story.
Again, don’t do this behavior (or have individuals do these stupid things at your event) especially when you’re acting unethically…
Comment by Billy Sunday Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:16 pm