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Corruption roundup

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* Sun-Times

State Sen. Thomas Cullerton’s lawyer is apparently finalizing a deal with federal prosecutors over key evidence in the indicted politician’s embezzlement case.

Cullerton’s attorney last month asked U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman to order the disclosure of crucial details about ex-Teamsters boss John Coli, who pleaded guilty in July in an extortion case and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. A grand jury hit Cullerton with an indictment a few days after Coli’s plea.

But at a hearing set Thursday to deal with the disagreement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu told Gettleman the two sides were nearing a deal and asked for more time to complete it. Cullerton attorney Daniel Collins said, “It’s all correct judge.” […]

When he asked for the Coli evidence last month, Collins wrote that “information about Coli’s credibility is central to the validity of the government’s case against Cullerton and is vital for Cullerton’s defense.”

* A statement was promised yesterday, but nothing emerged

A federal and local investigation into the actions of Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek is continuing, but authorities remain tight-lipped about the details.

Township officials on Tuesday issued a statement saying the township supervisor’s office is “fully cooperating with the investigation into the road district commissioner.” But due to the nature and stage of the investigation, they said they will not release any further information. […]

“Mr. Czernek is really a wonderful man who has spent his life helping the township of Bloomingdale,” attorney Michael Monico said.

Monico declined to comment further but said he may have more to say on Thursday.

* Tribune

After serving more than her four-year term [as chair of the Cook County Board of Ethics], Margaret “Peggy” Daley is being asked to leave the volunteer role, she said in an email. Although Daley’s term officially expired in July, her transition came as a surprise and she only learned she was being replaced through an email she was sent on Tuesday, she said. […]

The turnover comes just as the ethics board is expected to vote on proposed changes to the County Code of Ethics despite objections from Preckwinkle’s office.

In a letter, an attorney representing the president’s office asked the board to delay voting on the proposed changes, which have not yet been made public. But the board decided to move forward anyway, officials said.

The personnel change also comes about a year after it was revealed that Daley and two other board members donated to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign when she was competing with Preckwinkle for the city’s top seat.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 12:48 pm

Comments

  1. Monico doesn’t come cheep. He lawyered up big time

    Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 12:57 pm

  2. It’s your blog, but does the Peggy Daley story really rise to the level of falling under your “corruption roundup” headline?

    Comment by HeadlinerS Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 1:01 pm

  3. Monico =’ plea bargain

    Comment by NotRich Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 1:05 pm

  4. That Coli court file will make for interesting reading. Sure hope it gets made public someday.

    Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 1:14 pm

  5. The Red light camera case involving safe speed seems to have slowed down some. Must be a whole lot of people talking

    Comment by Hard D Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 1:36 pm

  6. == Monico doesn’t come cheep. He lawyered up big time

    He probably has some cash laying around to pay for it

    Comment by midway gardens Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 2:09 pm

  7. Hard D exactly, over a billion dollars in revenue and where did it go?? Hmmm. You know those involved are talking.

    Comment by Latina Thursday, Jan 23, 20 @ 2:58 pm

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