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* District Judge James Zagel has sentenced Bill Beavers to six months in prison for his conviction on four counts of tax evasion…
Former Cook County Commissioner William Beavers was sentenced to six months in prison this morning for failing to pay taxes on tens of thousands of dollars he took out of his campaign fund and used for gambling and other personal expenses.
The sentence is far short of the 21 months requested by prosecutors. Beavers was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and just under $39,000 in back taxes. […]
In recommending a sentence of 21 months in prison, prosecutors in a recent court filing portrayed the outspoken former police officer and alderman as someone who abused the trust placed in him as a public official despite “maintaining a front row seat for the long and sordid history of public corruption in Chicago and Illinois.”
“As an elected official for over 30 years, Beavers saw many of his fellow Chicago aldermen – as well as numerous state and local officials – convicted of public corruption crimes, and he had reason to appreciate the impact such corruption has had on the public’s faith in government,” prosecutors wrote.
* Background…
Beavers was accused of using his political campaign accounts from 2006 until 2008 as a “slush fund” to swell his pension and for losing gambling sprees at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, then failing to pay taxes on those withdrawals.
But he claimed he’d merely loaned himself the money. Beavers also blamed the county for failing to report $30,000 in expense checks that he took as income. Nevertheless, his conviction cost him his seat on the County Board
Beavers initially claimed that he was being prosecuted because he wouldn’t wear a wire for the feds, whom Beavers said were after John Daley. From last year…
John Daley said he was surprised at what he characterized as Beavers’ attempt to change the story.
“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Daley said.
He said Beavers never approached him to say that any federal agents had asked Beavers to wear a wire on him. Looking at the indictment against Beavers, Daley said: “It’s pretty obvious what this is about, and this has nothing to do with me. I have never taken my [commissioner’s expense account] from Day 1.”
Daley said Beavers appeared to be throwing Daley’s name up Thursday in an attempt to change the story.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 10:21 am
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Right on the heels of Stroger Jr.’s former aide appearing in court this week.
If Illinois politicos keep this up, we might be able to hit an average of one trial per week for these selfish traitors to the public trust.
It can be a weekly feature in the Trib and Sun-Times.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 11:20 am
Having Beavers share a cell with JJJ would make that 6 months seem like 6 years. Is that cruel and unusual or just desserts?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 11:42 am
Bill Beavers, your greed and arrogance has finally gotten you. even if it is only 6 months, you are still convicted. Shame on you.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 12:08 pm
“Do it Bill, 6 months, it’s nothing, it’s a hockey season” …
To the Post,
Seems about right, 6 months. Year and a day would get Beavers out in 9 months or so, so having to do 6 months, straight up, is pretty lenient, and pretty harsh, but still less than 21 months that the Feds wanted.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 12:22 pm
Perhaps we can have a “Public Officials of Illinois Jailhouse Photos” calendar.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 12:51 pm
Maybe the feds need to dedicate a wing of a federal prison to Illinois and put our disgraced pols together.
Oh, wait, no don’t put them together! Who knows what they would plan!!
Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 1:01 pm
It’s too bad he didn’t call himself a “hero” (as he did to the media post-sentencing) in front of Judge Zagel. Maybe Zagel would have given him a year and a day so he had to serve all of it.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 1:27 pm
THIS is the kind of situation where pension reform should be targeted, not at teachers, professors, and ordinary workers. Yet we have seen nothing about any such real pension reform, its all about reneging on what working folks have earned.
Comment by cod Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 1:47 pm
Beavers once bragged he was the Big Dog. Well, let’s see him prove it in the pen.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 1:50 pm
That hog spent too much time at the trough. Musta been nuts.
Comment by Geneva Guy Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 2:15 pm
pork sandwich
Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 2:40 pm
===Maybe Zagel would have given him a year and a day so he had to serve all of it.===
Opposite.
You get the “day” you get time off, so a year and “the day” is really about 9 1/2 months.
Six months IS Six months, no time off, gotta do the Six.
That is why Ald. Jackson’s year and NO day is so harsh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 2:46 pm
Stag
Or the barrow borrowed from his campaign fund. Does his daughter still hold office?
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 3:18 pm
I am trying to figure out the rhyme or reason to sentencing guidelines. JJJ 2 1/2 years, Gov Ryan 6 years, Blago, 14 years, Beavers 6 mos. Isn’t Gene Mullins facing 20 years? What did Bill Celini get?
Comment by unbelievable Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Bill Cellini got the “Vrdolyak Special” - year and “the day”, which is 9 & 1/2 months, give or take.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 4:04 pm