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* I’ll post the press release when I get it…
///BREAKING/// Longtime State Sen. Terry Link charged today in U.S. District Court with income tax evasion. The Tribune has reported that Link wore a wire for the FBI as part of the bribery investigation of then-state Rep. Luis Arroyo. Here’s that story: https://t.co/r1phBgkyEX pic.twitter.com/LsVSoRCyVo
— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) August 13, 2020
…Adding… More…
The one-page criminal information filed in U.S. District Court accused Link, of Vernon Hills, of failing to report income on his 2016 tax return to the IRS.
Defendants are typically charged via an information if they intend to eventually plead guilty.
* And…
#BREAKING Illinois state Sen. Terry Link has been charged in federal court with filing a false income tax return for the year 2016. Nearly a year ago, he denied being the unnamed senator who got in hot water with the feds and turned on Rep. Luis Arroyo. pic.twitter.com/7iCGh3Ds26
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) August 13, 2020
*** UPDATE 1 *** From John Patterson…
President Harmon has accepted Senator Link’s resignation as a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Coverage roundup…
* State Sen. Terry Link charged with federal income tax evasion: Also involved in Arroyo’s alleged scheme was businessman James Weiss, the son-in-law of former Cook County assessor and county Democratic Party boss Joseph Berrios, whose house was raided by the FBI shortly before the charges against Arroyo were unsealed, the Tribune has reported.
* Illinois Sen. Terry Link Charged With Felony Income Tax Fraud: Thursday’s filing makes Link the latest Illinois politician to be charged in a widespread criminal corruption probe in the state. He is the third Democratic Illinois senator to face federal charges in just over a year.
* Federal Prosecutors Charge Illinois State Sen. Terry Link With Tax Fraud: On Thursday, Republicans quickly seized on Link’s legal troubles. “Another member of the IL Democrat Crime Ring bites the dust,” the state Republican Party posted on its Twitter account. “In unsurprising news, Sen. Link is a member of the ‘Ethics Commission.’ Go figure.”
* State Sen. Terry Link charged with felony tax evasion: Link is now the third state senator to be charged with a federal crime in a little more than a year.
* Longtime lawmaker Terry Link hit with federal tax charge: Following the charges against Arroyo, Link denied he was the unnamed senator. He first denied it to WBEZ, and then again to reporters in Springfield the next day while helping pass bills in the legislature. “I said, what’s your source? You answer me. You’re a reporter,” Link said that day when asked if he wore a wire on Arroyo. “I answered the question yesterday. I’m not going to continually answer this every day of my life. I’m down here to do a job that I was elected to do, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Daily Herald…
A day after he was charged with federal tax evasion, state Sen. Terry Link remained publicly silent on the matter Friday, refusing to respond to interview requests or issue a statement.
Meanwhile, the chorus of voices from the Lake County political community criticizing Link or calling for his resignation has grown.
“He owes an immediate explanation to the people of the district,” said state Rep. David McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican. “And if he doesn’t provide a comment, he should resign.” […]
Shortly after the charge against Link was filed Thursday, state Sen. Melinda Bush, a Grayslake Democrat, suggested Link step down. So did state Sen. Dan McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods Republican, and state Rep. Daniel Didech, a Buffalo Grove Democrat, among others.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:29 pm
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so he wasn’t being completely honest when asked if he was the senator wearing the wire during the last veto session…got it. nice knowing you, Terry. Good luck in retirement, friend.
Comment by rentoria sanatoria Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:33 pm
The Feds’ go-to charge.
Comment by walker Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:35 pm
I thought it was Thursday…
Let’s see how this plays.
Maybe Terry Link will be the missing…
… piece?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:42 pm
Why can’t Illinois have competent and honest legislators? I’m not in politics or public service and everyone I work with is honest and conscientious. I mean I know Madigan only supports primary candidates that bend the knee, but I at least thought the senate Dems were a little more independent.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:47 pm
Well, well, well… He did protest too much.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:47 pm
Good grief…does it ever end for the ILGA?!?
Comment by Jvslp Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Too bad they can’t share the same cell together.
Comment by pool boy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Well, within the boundaries of letting justice be served, I wish him well - as anyone foolish enough to pay attention to me knows I have a lot of contempt for the Illinois Dem “machine” but I’ve heard for more than one decent person that he’s a nice guy, so…
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 3:54 pm
The Information leads to a lot more questions than answers. Based on what he is charged with (and assuming a tax loss of more than $40k and less that $100k), he would be looking at a sentencing guideline range of 24-30 mos. I practice in this field and if that was all there is to it, then I would assume a sentence of 1 year and 1 day (meaning he would get good time credit and do about 10 mos).
But if that is all he was facing then why would he seek to help the government by wearing a wire? Cooperators can usually get 33% off of their sentence. It just seems to me that as part of his cooperation the G offered him a plea to a (relatively) minor charge with no fear of a long sentence. I would think this has to be true as I can’t imagine doing what he did (cooperating) just to get a few months off of his sentence.
Comment by Paddyrollingstone Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:01 pm
Maybe somebody should test the water in Springfield there must be something in it.
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:03 pm
Lake Co Dem. Terry Link is a nice guy. And actually so is Arroyo. So are Derrick Smith & Tom Culllerton. But the feds don’t care about that. Now Sandoval? Not so much.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:07 pm
Link won in an upset in 1996, an early Dem win in the suburbs. Halvorson also ousted Deangelis in that election. Emil Jones came within 250 votes of having the majority, with Radogno and Luechtefeld barely being re-elected.
Comment by Oldtimer Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:07 pm
Never take the money.
Simple rule.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:11 pm
Let’s move on , it’s only a tax charge
Comment by Curious George Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:29 pm
Since we have established the expectation of resignation when charged, what is the appropriate time frame for them to retire/resign?
Regardless of outcome, I appreciate Senator Link for cooperating and we should thank him for that.
… How false are we talking about here, though?
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:34 pm
Would love to know what he did to get the unreported income.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:35 pm
=== Since we have established the expectation of resignation when charged===
The Arroyo Rule is a House thing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:37 pm
Dude, ya gotta declare the income. Even if it’s illegal. Just ask Capone.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:37 pm
Where are the press conferences? Where are the press releases? Paging Melinda Bush. Paging Heather Steans. Paging Kelly Cassidy.
Comment by Hush Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:39 pm
Will Feds pause in deference to upcoming elections. Could affect turnout.
Comment by Bruce Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:39 pm
Terry didn’t like the fed’s graduated tax structure.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:40 pm
To Dupage Saint…
The water’s just crystal clear and clean in Spfld. check that water up your way.
Comment by flea Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:41 pm
–Let’s move on , it’s only a tax charge–
Related to taking payments for his official duties? Let’s see.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 4:53 pm
===The Arroyo Rule is a House thing. ===
I wasn’t aware we were being that specific when establishing precedents but regardless, this sentence read like a roller coaster:
===President Harmon has accepted Senator Link’s resignation as a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission.===
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:16 pm
“it’s only a tax charge”
The tax charge is his reward for wearing a wire.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:16 pm
=== I wasn’t aware===
And…
=== Since we have established ===
Each chamber gets kinda ticklish when both seemly think they should be treated the same.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:19 pm
“President Harmon has accepted Senator Link’s resignation as a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission.” The fact that someone charged with tax evasion is (was) on the Legislative Ethics Commission speaks volumes about why IL is in the condition it’s in.
Comment by Nobody Sent Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:22 pm
Forgive him , he wanted to capture the money before the tax increase vote .
Comment by Curious George Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:33 pm
“Hush” - Bush, Steans, Cassidy, and a bunch of others actually had a press conference about ethics reform this morning. Unsure from your wording if you’re referencing that or you just happen to not know about it…
Comment by Moderate Mike Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:36 pm
Crickets from the Senate liberal crowd of Bush, Steans, etc.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:44 pm
== - Moderate Mike - Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:36 pm:
“Hush” - Bush, Steans, Cassidy, and a bunch of others actually had a press conference about ethics reform this morning. Unsure from your wording if you’re referencing that or you just happen to not know about it… ==
It’s called sarcasm. They called for people to step down upon investigation or indictment. Yet they haven’t called for Tom Cullerton’s resignation, or Link. They’ve all called for Madigan’s resignation and he hasn’t been charged with any crime or actually accused of any wrongdoing.
Comment by Hush Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:46 pm
Why is this hard? Terry should resign. Now.
Comment by Southern Skeptic Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 5:58 pm
Someone in the ethics committee commits an ethical violation.
Nothing should surprise anyone when the next pigeon falls.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 6:15 pm
Rat f… stoolie
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 6:41 pm
All the ILGA with the exception of maybe 6 need to get their personal matters in order because the Feds will get to you. Let’s not forget Pritzker and all the other politicians.
Comment by Latina Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 6:53 pm
Why continue the wire charade if they’re never in session?
Comment by Cadillac Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 8:07 pm
I met Terry Link back in the mid 1990s. He’s always been a friend to me and for that I am grateful. He messed up. We all do, but in this business mistakes like this are fatal. Rightfully so. I don’t know any details of this beyond what is in the public record, but I feel for my friend today. He knew this was coming, obviously, and the reaction that justifiably comes with it. But regardless, I still consider him a friend and I will for the duration.
There’s a line I can’t really remember from Wall Street, when Bud finally gets arrested. His boss pulls him into his office and says something like, “When you look into the abyss, there’s nothing staring back at you. At that moment, a man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.”
Good luck Terry. You’re still my friend.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 13, 20 @ 8:30 pm
== Good luck Terry. You’re still my friend. ==
You really know who your friends are when they stand with you after you’ve been indicted. I give 47th Ward a lot of credit for standing with his friend. 47th’s words are a reminder that sometimes, good people do bad things, but that doesn’t completely eliminate the good they’ve done. And it doesn’t make them any less of a friend.
Comment by SouthSide Markie Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 1:29 am
When someone is allowed to spend all these years in a position of trust with little to no oversight, you have to ask yourself a question, who is ultimately responsible? Those who commit or omit to act after taking an oath. I say expose and hold accountable those who undermine regulators with mandatory terms and hire competent inspector generals. Shame on you Senator Link, you deserve this ending.
Comment by Billy Goat Gruff Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 5:14 am
=== Where are the press conferences? Where are the press releases? Paging Melinda Bush. Paging Heather Steans. Paging Kelly Cassidy.===
Exactly what I was thinking.
Comment by Powdered Whig Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 9:07 am
He was the missing Link to the Arroyo case.
Comment by N95 Mask Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 9:10 am
Latina-who are the 6?
Comment by Jess sayin Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 9:17 am
Call him what he is and that is another unethical Illinois politician that should resign immediately and forfeit any benefits because he is not entitled too them. He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law his cooperation should not give him a lighter sentence. His being a member of the ethics committee speaks volume to the extreme corruption within the State House and we need a deep cleaning and removal of the political machine in Illinois.
Comment by Arock Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 9:32 am
To flea -
“The water’s just crystal clear and clean in Spfld. …” You forgot the “/s” … per capita, Sangamon County makes Cook County look like pikers.
Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 9:34 am
==President Harmon has accepted Senator Link’s resignation as a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission.==
i.e. He slid into 3rd base after tagging up, but the outfielder just caught the third out.
Comment by A Guy Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 9:36 am
So by not pleading to bribery does he keep his pension? Curious.
Comment by Southsider Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 1:12 pm
===So by not pleading to bribery ===
lol
That makes zero sense. He did that at the behest of the federal government.
Some of y’all need to up your reading comprehension skills.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 14, 20 @ 1:18 pm