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* Tribune…
Investigators are looking into allegations [Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago] used his official position to steer business to at least one company in exchange for kickbacks, a source with knowledge of the case told the Chicago Tribune. […]
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., at least eight men left the Senate Democratic offices carrying cardboard boxes, two brown bags labeled “evidence” and what appeared to be a desktop computer wrapped in plastic. News cameras rolled as the agents left the building, loaded the material into two SUVs and drove off.
At about the same time nearly 200 miles away, agents executed search warrants at Sandoval’s district office in the 5800 block of West 35th Street in Cicero, as well as his longtime family home in Gage Park, sources told the Tribune.
A man who answered the door at Sandoval’s brick, three-story building Tuesday said the legislator was not home. Later, two officials with duty belts and handcuffs came out of the home to get wheeled hand trucks, taking them inside. One identified himself as from the IRS criminal division.
The presence of the IRS is perhaps most ominous.
* Illinois Public Radio…
Chicago-based FBI spokesman John Althen refused to confirm the target of the raid or say what it was about.
“All I can say at this point is we are engaged in an authorized law enforcement activity. Beyond that, we’ve got no further comment,” Althen said by phone. Asked if agents from Chicago were in the Capitol building, he said “they’re present, yes.”
At least eight men in suits left the Capitol carrying two cardboard boxes, several brown bags labeled “evidence,” and what appeared to be a desktop computer wrapped in plastic. They loaded the items into an SUV and left without speaking to reporters.
Calls to Sandoval’s Capitol and district offices were not returned Tuesday. A spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton also declined to comment.
* Mark Brown…
It’s not that he wasn’t already high on everyone’s list of Most Likely to Get Caught on an FBI Wiretap. His fellow legislators would have put him on the top of the list. […]
What has to concern Illinois Democrats right now is Sandoval’s very prominent role as a chief negotiator of the state’s newly enacted $45 billion infrastructure improvement program — and the gas tax increase and pork barrel projects that go with it.
They’re counting on that money, and the expected political benefits that go with the projects.
The last thing they need is for the problems of one of its architects to put a stink on the whole program — and them along with it.
Yep.
* Sun-Times…
Asked about the Sandoval raid Tuesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot called it “interesting.”
“We have been hearing for a long time that the federal investigation is of longstanding and has a lot of different tentacles,” Lightfoot said. “Certainly, I paid attention that the outgoing [special agent in charge] of the FBI essentially said, ‘More to come.’ So, it looks like there’s more to come.”
Lightfoot said she is “not surprised” by the raid. But she has “no specific knowledge about Sandoval one way or another.”
* ABC 7…
Business owners near his district office were surprised by the raids.
“We saw the cameras coming up over here,” said Harry Lamiot, Dell Plumbing Company. “To tell you the truth we never see him, very much of him, they are kind of private it seems, at least for us.”
* CBS 2…
People in Sandoval’s neighborhood say they know he lives there, but they don’t see him much. They say he mainly keeps to himself.
Odd.
University of Illinois Chicago State Politics Professor Christopher Mooney said while the story of the raid on Sandoval’s office may reinforce the perception of corruption in Illinois, it might not make much of a splash outside the state’s political circles.
“If those are all connected into some grand case, indictments of several high-profile politicos, yeah, then people will pay attention to that,” Mooney said. “Maybe not so much outside the state, but certainly within the state.”
Mooney said Madigan has not been linked directly to any investigation.
“I have heard people say, ‘oh, they’re trying to get close to Madigan,’ but of course we’ve heard that from time to time from the media for the last 40 years and it hasn’t happened,” he said.
But, if that speculation pans out, the story will likely be huge.
“If this becomes the thing finally that ends the Madigan regime, it will be historic,” Mooney said.
* Related…
* VIDEO: Federal agents search office of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, in Springfield
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 9:42 am
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What is that, 6-7-8 raids in the past 9-12 months?
Dems are having as good a year as the Cubs!
Comment by Pick a Name Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 9:51 am
Why do people think they’re finally going to *get* Madigan?
For legal reasons, I will first say it’s not clear there’s anything to get. And second, if he is doing crime/grift, he’s the old school elder who carefully takes just enough to make himself comfortable without folks getting too hot about it. It’s always the second gen mafiosos that are clumsily running around, talking loud and buying street viagra.
I appreciate their lack of chill because that’s how we catch them, but I will put very good money on Madigan never seeing a set of cuffs.
Comment by lakeside Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:01 am
Rich, with all due respect I noticed you spelled Jefe as Hefe in this morning’s CapFax. While your at it, Latinos like me prefer Latino not Latinx. When a reporter uses the term it is a signal to those who are not on the left that the author is a liberal. FYI only from a member of the Latino community.
Comment by Mendoza Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:02 am
-Mendoza - use of “Latinx” is an indication that someone is inclusive of all genders, not necessarily one’s political leanings.
Comment by LoyalVirus Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:06 am
First it was a Burger King franchisee, now this could be a garden variety shakedown?
You’d think it would be complex conspiracies alleged with 3-4 foreign bank accounts and covert meetings with code names.
If we’re to believe what is alleged, it appears to be a simple shakedown, and this time it’s simplicity was so brazen?
I think the most intriguing thing in all this is that with Sandoval you can’t rule out things it could be. Nice reputation.
Sandoval has not been charged. I have no idea what they are looking for as the confirmed, and you only need to look at Dorothy Brown to recognize things can go real slow so I don’t expect anything until it happens.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:07 am
Still no word from Cullerton? He’s gotta’ remove Sandoval from his committee chairmanship this week.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:09 am
Being a chairman of a committee has gotten a lot of attention from the FBI in the last year in the “meet and greet” category .
1) Chicago Alderman Danny Solis (Zoning)
2) Chicago Alderman Ed Burke (Finance)
3) Chicago Alderman Michael Zalewski (Aviation)
4)Chicago Alderman Carrie Austin (Budget)
5) State Sen. Tom Cullerton (Labor)
6)State Sen. Marty Sandoval (Transportation)
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:10 am
===While your at it, Latinos like me prefer Latino not Latinx. When a reporter uses the term it is a signal to those who are not on the left that the author is a liberal. FYI only from a member of the Latino community.===
As long as we’re nitpicking: you’re, not your
In my opinion, you should meet people to help you understand why it’s important to be inclusive. We shouldn’t expect reporters to accommodate your veiled bigotry.
-a fellow member of the Latinx community.
Comment by la dictadora Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:20 am
“They say he mainly keeps to himself.”
Kind of a red flag in itself.
Comment by Ambrose Chase Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:33 am
==For better or worse Latinx is a word that alienates more conservative Latino readers.==
I have heard this sentiment many, many times from my Latino friends and acquaintances. If you are certain of the more direct Latino culture; Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, etc. even better. Always preferable to Hispanic. I’ve seen the term Latinx, and I simply asked a few dear friends. They prefer Latino and Latina.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:42 am
=it is a signal to those who are not on the left that the author is a liberal.=
It may not be that they’re liberal, but its definitely a sign that they’re elitist.
Comment by Mexicanos, Not Mexicanxs Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:43 am
And… at long last Sandoval appears to be getting what he deserves and what’s been coming to him for a long time. He’s disgraceful.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:43 am
===I have heard this sentiment many, many times from my Latino friends and acquaintances.===
From that large precinct you walk or… Ugh.
===Still no word from Cullerton? He’s gotta’ remove Sandoval from his committee chairmanship this week.===
I’m speculating that Cullerton’s Crew is first waiting for Sandoval to drop a statement, then respond and in that possibly go further than only a statement.
Sandoval’s own silence is good for the legal troubles but troubling to the political.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 10:54 am
Oh my. What in the world could federal authorities want from a politician who:
(1) gets caught allegedly shaking down constituents,
(2) intimately knows the Speaker’s geo-political and power turfs,
(3) doesn’t like the Speaker for a number of reasons, and
(4) would allegedly sing like a songbird to stay out of prison?
Gosh, I’m sure those things aren’t intertwined.
Comment by Vilolet Seepage Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:04 am
“What has to concern Illinois Democrats right now is Sandoval’s very prominent role as a chief negotiator of the state’s newly enacted $45 billion infrastructure improvement program — and the gas tax increase and pork barrel projects that go with it.They’re counting on that money, and the expected political benefits that go with the projects.”
“Investigators are looking into allegations [Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago] used his official position to steer business to at least one company in exchange for kickbacks”
Its beginning to look like there is not much difference, in Illinois, between “political benefits of pork barrel projects,” and the classic racket of the shakedown and kickbacks.
$45 billion folks. This guy needs to be removed as “chief negotiator.”
Illinoisans deserve better than this garbage at the highest levels. (h/t to Steve for the nice rundown.)
Comment by please and thank you Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:08 am
i dont know marty could spill on the speaker. marty was upset that the speaker did not back his com ed daughter for commissioner. since then, he’s been outside looking in. if he had anything against the speaker is probably running up against the clock.
instead, marty poses a threat to victor and com ed, his transportation supporters and his judicial appointees.
Comment by dying HDO Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:13 am
===since then, he’s been outside looking in===
Started way before that.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:14 am
Sports Illustrated and other sports publications will sometimes get anonymous player surveys so they can get good info on what the players think of the league, they’ll ask players who they think is the most overrated player in the league, stuff like that.
It would be fascinating if someone could do something similar for our local politics. Yesterday it seemed like everyone had a Sandoval story, this wasn’t a huge surprise. It would be fun to poll electeds and lobbyists and ask them stuff like who they think is most likely to get indicted, or for lobbyists what member would you never meet with alone? I bet the outcome would provide a good roadmap for the feds on who they should pay attention to and perhaps that public shaming would incentivize better behavior.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:26 am
I doubt Madigan is sweating. I think it is highly unlikely that he will be pulled into Sandoval’s mess. It is intriguing that many of Madigan’s political neighbors are in hot water, but I do not see the Speaker being connected to their misdeeds.
Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:32 am
Heres the funny thing. If he ran for reelection tomorrow, i bet he would win.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:38 am
==From that large precinct you walk or… Ugh.==
Yeah. And the world I walk outside of it. It’s a tad more diverse than Oswego.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 12:56 pm
===Yeah. And the world I walk outside of it.===
The Spokesman speaketh, lol
===It’s a tad more diverse than Oswego.===
… and yet you support the racist President. You told me. Can’t parse the racism and policy. Nope.
Maybe it’s time to get your credentials renewed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 1:01 pm
To bring this back to the post,
If Sandoval is a missing piece to a bigger picture (I don’t think that’s the case, as Sandoval is his own worse enemy here) where in an alleged shakedown do these dots connect?
You wait to see what does happen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 1:04 pm
I would just go for jury nullification on the Trump justice department ordered by Trump and Barr to get some democrats.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 1:10 pm
maybe marty got reimbursements from his campaign for lunches and dinners that he got comp’d.
Comment by dying hdo Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 2:02 pm
==To bring this back to the post,==
Yep. Make it a goal to keep 25% of your posts on point.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 2:41 pm
Oh - A Guy -
Hope you’re well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 2:46 pm
I’ll be sorely disappointed if the charging documents don’t mention mariachi trumpets
Comment by Hard Hat Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 3:07 pm
Everyone in that whole HDO orbit should have experienced some puckering yesterday. I don’t have to post the names we all know them.
Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 6:38 pm
I would assume that Sandoval picked MBE/WBE/DBE law firm to represent him, so I checked out the law firm and didn’t see those designations on their website.
Comment by Career Politician 2.0 Wednesday, Sep 25, 19 @ 11:30 pm
A Guy. I have been giving OW trolling lessons. He is what us oldtimers call a ‘quick study”.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Sep 26, 19 @ 6:49 am
- Blue Dog Dem -
It’s a tad early to be imbibing. You should go back to sleep and start the morning again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 26, 19 @ 7:40 am