It appears that a long-running FBI investigation may have gathered evidence to incriminate, not just Chicago city politicians, but also leading lights in the state government.
Retiring Ald. Danny Solis received sex acts, Viagra, free weekend use of an Indiana farm once owned by Oprah Winfrey and a steady stream of campaign contributions in exchange for shepherding official City Council actions, according to allegations in a federal court affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The allegations are contained in an explosive search warrant application that helps explain why Solis, the powerful chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee, agreed to spend more than two years cooperating in a federal investigation during which he is known to have secretly recorded at least a dozen conversations with Ald. Edward M. Burke, the former chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee.
Although no charges have been filed publicly against Solis, the 2016 affidavit lays out in detail a federal corruption case against the veteran alderman, who was one of the closest City Council allies of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Emanuel’s predecessor, Richard M. Daley.
It also alleges that among the people recorded as part of the Solis investigation was Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, the longest-serving state House speaker in the country.
The 120-page affidavit shows federal investigators listened in on more than 18,000 conversations on one of Solis’ cellphones over the course of at least a year, while also conducting surveillance of his private meetings and trips to massage parlors.
It also indicates the Solis probe dates back at least as far as May 2014.
There's more at the link.
Two years wearing a wire, recording almost every top politician in the city and state? Oh, boy, the dirt the FBI must have on those tapes! Pass the popcorn. This should be very entertaining, watching the rats and the cockroaches scurry to hide from the sudden, unexpected and absolutely unwanted light on their proceedings.
Peter
Rod Blagojevich could be laughing his ass off in prison.
ReplyDeleteFBI has a LONG way to cleaning up corruption. This is more likely a political move to oust him and the FBI provides the muscle.....
ReplyDelete1. The FBI is the same outfit that pulled down the wire on Rod Blagojevich before the buyer of the Senate seat could be ensnared.
Delete2. The FBI is the same outfit that tried (and may still be trying) to entrap the President.
Don't expect too much from them.
All FBI investigations are long running. Its pretty amazing everyone they investigate doesn't drop dead before they get around to filing any charges.
ReplyDelete