By Fran Spielman Jan 24, 2019, 9:45am CST
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Mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza is interviewed by reporter Fran Spielman in the Sun-Times newsroom last year. File Photo. | Rich Hein/Sun-TimesMayoral candidate Susana Mendoza is purging herself of $141,550 in campaign contributions received over the years from Ald. Danny Solis (25th) and from a debt collection firm founded by Solis’ sister and an attorney with close ties to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Mendoza’s quick about-face comes one day after the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Solis, retiring chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee, has spent the last two years wired up to help federal investigators build their corruption case against Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th).
Normally, elected officials agree to go undercover only after they themselves have been caught in corruption scandals.
Assuming that Solis was no exception, Mendoza is taking no chances. She’s washing her hands of the money she received from Solis and his 25th Ward Regular Democratic Organization as well as contributions she got from Vendors Assistance Program LLC, the company founded by Patti Solis Doyle and attorney Brian Hynes, the former Madigan aide with close ties to Danny Solis.
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“I am donating $73,900 received from Danny Solis’ political organizations and $67,650 received from VAP-related organizations and individuals to the very worthy Montford Point Marines war heroes and veterans to save their chapter hall in Englewood and help fund critical repairs,” Mendoza was quoted as saying in an emailed statement.
“These were legal contributions that were fully disclosed as is required by law. Nonetheless, given new information that has come to light regarding these individuals and organizations, my value system dictates that I immediately donate these funds to this worthy cause.”
Mendoza tried to take the spotlight off herself and turn up the heat on Toni Preckwinkle, who has suffered even more after being dragged into the Burke scandal.
She has no shame. None.
ReplyDeleteMs.Mendoza is no different than any other of our esteemed Pols in this city,county & state. it's the system that needs to be purged and changed,along with the current people holding elected office. If the system and how it works doesn't change then we will have more Mendoza's,Solis's,Burke's,Madigan's etc.,etc.,etc, for ad infinitum,just with different names. The way our election and campaign fund raising rules are set up, this is bound to continue to happen
ReplyDeleteWould that include the "All in the Family" 19 ward??
DeletePerhaps, the truth is she's a liar and possibly, thief, like most (if not all) politicians are. I apologize for being harsh.
ReplyDelete