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* Well, that was quick…
BREAKING: William Beavers, guilty on all counts
— Suntimes (@Suntimes) March 21, 2013
* Sun-Times…
A federal jury convicted the Cook County Commissioner on all counts after deliberating for just a few hours.
Earlier Thursday, prosecutors blasted the former alderman as a tax cheat who “decided the rules shouldn’t apply to him.”
But Beavers’ defense team painted him as an elderly man who “may” have a gambling problem and never intended to defraud the IRS.
Jurors began their deliberations Thursday afternoon after hearing closing arguments in a packed courtroom, during which defense attorney Sam Adam Jr.’s theatrical style again clashed with prosecutors’ dry demeanor — and irritated Judge James Zagel, who issued a series of rulings in an attempt to rein Adam in.
Accused of cheating on his taxes in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Beavers “has been an elected public official for the last 30 years — he understands and he knows the importance of paying taxes,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton told the jury.
Instead of paying taxes on checks he cut himself from his political campaign funds and spent on losing gambling runs at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Beavers deliberately “kept everyone in the dark,” by falsifying his tax returns and campaign records, Hamilton said.
Another loss for the Adam family lawyers.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:13 pm
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Shrinkage?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:15 pm
I’m not sure why people keep hiring the Adams family. Maybe because everyone else is telling them to take a plea?
Comment by Ann Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:19 pm
That took them, what, an hour? If it wasn’t for his crack defense team, the jury might have just voted and convicted him right in the jury box without retiring to the jury room. “That’s OK, your Honor, we’ve got this…”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:20 pm
I wonder why he didn’t testify. Without raising getting squeezed by the feds, it was open-and-shut.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:27 pm
AA - best comment ever. “Hog with the big prison sentence” suddenly seems more apropo than his old moniker.
One wonders who’s next for the prosecution? Good luck ladies and gentlemen, and good job on this one. Thank you for your work tidying up Cook County, even if only slightly.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:27 pm
And so another long-time member of the Illinois political caste appears ready to don a jumpsuit. This calls for a Moody’s downgrade.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:40 pm
ABC7 Chicago should really have thought through their decision to air Beavers’ post verdict interview live. Pretty colorful language, but good theater.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:49 pm
- AA -
Hall of Fame!
To the Post,
Not saying one bit that Beavers was guilty, not guilty, whatever.
If the “Guys down the Street” want you, odds are, they are going to get you.
Can’t top - AA -. Well done!
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 4:54 pm
feed pigs slaughter hogs !!! bye bye Billy Beav’
Comment by railrat Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:05 pm
Gee, what a shock… NOT!
Comment by Mr. Big Trouble Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:11 pm
Didn’t even have the guts to take the stand. Says it all
Comment by b Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:14 pm
Shocker
Comment by Lil Squeezy Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:14 pm
However, if he had took the stand and alleged what he has been alleging- i bet his sentence would’ve/could’ve been longer, assuming the same outcome. (his conviction)
Comment by b Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:17 pm
“may” have a gambling problem? Ya think?
I wonder if he gets a year off his sentence because of his gambling addiction? Is there a program for that?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:19 pm
The real gambling addiction in Illinois is the one affecting most of the pols in the GA, Cook County and Chicago as they play fast and loose with the future of Illinois.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:24 pm
beavers had more than one vice. he’s no doubt happy that they focused on his gambling issues…
Comment by bored now Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:30 pm
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Getter, great win!
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:31 pm
The Feds got an inside guy in Hammond?
Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:31 pm
there are feds in the Northern dist of indiana….
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 5:45 pm
I’m sure Mr. Adam enjoyed having fun pushing court rules and acting out. Problem is now Judge Zagel gets to impose sentence. While he probably won’t intentionally add time, Judges get ticked off just like anyone else. Issues in mitigation won’t get so much attention at the sentencing hearing.
Beavers should have testified, not about the John Daley garbage, but just to lend credibility to his ‘it was a loan’ theory. That might have bought him another day of deliberations, maybe some compromise in the jury room.
Comment by park Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 6:13 pm
Big shock here…another one bites the dust.
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 6:52 pm
anyone who didnt see this coming had their head buried in the sand.
Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 7:32 pm
He could have at least lost the half mil at an Illinois casino.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 8:28 pm
Did the two hours include lunch? As much as I think he is guilty, I anticipated a strong attempt at the Clay Davis defense.
Comment by Quizzical Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 9:39 pm
I’ll miss him.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 9:46 pm
Very happy for both my old friend AUSA Matt Getter and for the cause of corruption-busting in Cook County. Beavers SOOOOOOO deserves to wear the jump suit.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Mar 21, 13 @ 10:22 pm
Apparently the government got every part of the pig but the squeal.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Friday, Mar 22, 13 @ 12:11 am
“We find the defendant guilty and his lawyer obnoxious….”
Comment by Excessively Rabid Friday, Mar 22, 13 @ 7:25 am
I’m no huge fan of the Adam family, but tell me which lawyer would have won this case? Tell me which lawyer has a great record against the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Comment by Chi Friday, Mar 22, 13 @ 8:11 am
The Adams’ (Sr. & Jr.) are both outstanding defense lawyers. It’s not their fault that their client was found guilty. Sometimes, you are dealt a losing hand. Beavers was doomed from the start and his bravado along the way certainly didn’t help (i.e. see Drew Peterson).
Comment by Stones Friday, Mar 22, 13 @ 8:50 am
A true patriot, Beaver. He believes in redistribution and made sure that he supports the good folks of…..Indiana.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Mar 22, 13 @ 11:05 am