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* Background is here if you need it. This recording is courtesy of Hannah Meseil at the Daily Line. She was talking to Senate President John Cullerton and then Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) was approached by reporters and Hannah quickly shifted to that conversation…
Link: I said what’s their source? You answer me. You’re a reporter. I answered the question yesterday. I’m not going to continually answer this every day of my life. I’m down here to do a job that I was elected to do and that’s what I’m gonna do.
Reporter: But how are you going to do that job if everyone suspects…
Link: Real easy! Real easy. Because you’re the only ones that are bothering me. The public’s not bothering me. I’m getting emails from all of my constituents very happy with me. ‘Stick in there.’ ‘Fight.’ And so they’re not mad at me. I don’t represent you, I represent them.
Reporter: So you’re saying you are not, you did not wear a wire.
Link: Why don’t you ask them where they got their source? [Cross talk] Hey, you know I’ve been around a long time. I know how people like to twist my words. I’m not gonna twist, I’m not gonna twist my words.
Some video is here.
More on the rest of this audio later.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 11:56 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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My initial guess after following the breadcrumbs yesterday was that it was Link (just like everyone else here).
When this is all sorted out, someone is going to look really silly - whether it’s Link or the Trib and ST (and by extension the G)…remains to be seen.
Comment by Chucky Jay Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 11:59 am
“I’m getting emails from all of my constituents very happy with me. ‘Stick in there.’ ‘Fight.’”
Aah, the old Bruce refrain.
Comment by My New Handle Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:01 pm
Cannot be anymore clear. If he is the CW he sure is a liar
It will be fun to see the truth
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:03 pm
=== Reporter: So you’re saying you are not, you did not wear a wire.
Link: Why don’t you ask them where they got their source? [Cross talk] Hey, you know I’ve been around a long time. I know how people like to twist my words. I’m not gonna twist, I’m not gonna twist my words.===
The simple answer is no…
I didn’t read “no”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:03 pm
“I’m not going to continually answer this every day of my life.”
Fair enough. But until you give a yes or no answer, you’re gonna get asked.
Comment by Father Ted Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:06 pm
Im pretty sure the feds can keep their informants a secret until the informant actually have to testify in open court so no one will know for sure who cw-1 is unless that happens. It’s risky, but it’s probably the only chance Link has to save his reputation either way now that he’s associated with being the possible informant.
Comment by Randomly Selected Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:06 pm
==“I’m not going to continually answer this every day of my life”==
Excuse me sir, but until you say yes or no, you will. Or run away from the people asking the question. Clue: They accept that as a “Yes”, you were wired literally, instead of like now, where you’re “wired” figuratively.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:10 pm
If Link is the informant he has to know the smokescreen is temporary. He’ll either be called to testify, or be charged with the tax stuff, and then we’ll know. Is lying worth a few more months?
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:10 pm
Ok this is simple I’m sure Louis Arroyo knows who he gave that check to. My guess he’s already told a dozen or so people who have also passed that information on.
Comment by Long Time R Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:10 pm
===Fair enough. But until you give a yes or no answer, you’re gonna get asked. ===
He did answer.
“Link says he has not dealt with the feds in their corruption probe, didn’t wear a wire, wasn’t offered kickbacks and didn’t have tax problems as the Arroyo complaint alluded to: “The answer is no. Just leave it at that. I really don’t know what to say. I am not witness No. 1.” (@davemckinney)
Comment by 4 eyes Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:11 pm
- 4 eyes -
I saw the tweet.
Why not refer to that and say the same thing?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:12 pm
== “I’m getting emails from all of my constituents very happy with me. ‘Stick in there.’ ‘Fight.’ And so they’re not mad at me. I don’t represent you, I represent them.”==
Riiight. This statement comes off as just a wee bit too clueless and hyperbolic, Mr. Link. ” I have no comment other than the truth will come out” would have been way better.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:14 pm
Assuming for a minute that what Sen. Link says is true, there is nothing stopping the Feds from saying that he is not the person, that he is not involved, and they did not mean for people to infer that he was. If they don’t say that, then the silence speaks volumes. His denials are pretty strong. If he’s lying to the press and the public I doubt they will stand for that either.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:20 pm
Dude is in trouble, he won’t run again so his reputation with voters is no longer a factor. Unlike the FBI It is not a crime to deceive a reporter. He also carefully chose his words… “dealt”, “wire”, and “tax problems” are vague terms.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:22 pm
How about answering it 2 days in a row? Is that too much to ask?
Comment by Not a Superstar Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:23 pm
I admit I do very much want to know who dropped the dime on him to the ST and Trib. The Feds dropped clues–no question–but somehow his demeanor seems to indicate that possibly he doesn’t think it was the Fed swho outed him by name to the media. The Trib and S-T could help solve this mystery. Will they?
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:26 pm
I have no idea if it was Link or not, but… if a Chicago State Rep and a Waukegan Senator were to meet-up, a restaurant in Skokie is about as convenient for both parties as it gets.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:30 pm
Only in Illinois is being an informant considered to be a bad thing. If he is the informant, he should be proud that he helped fight corruption. Most politicians say they want to fight corruption without lifting a finger to do so.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:32 pm
A Jack — Sort of agree. Informants, good. Informants who are informants because they did something criminal on their own, not as good.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:35 pm
=== being an informant considered to be a bad thing===
It’s not the informing that is the bother or bad thing, but if you deny it, and it turns out true…
We have dueling sides here, one being the actual person in question.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:36 pm
A Jack, admitting to being the informant would mean being implicated with the tax fraud charges, in addition to looking all his friends in the eye and telling them he wore a wire to spy on them. That ain’t easy, even if it’s the right thing to do.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:37 pm
My guess is that there is an agreement with the Feds not to disclose to anyone that you are a CW, and the Feds have not released the CW from that agreement. If I were the Feds, I’d string out the chaos too.
Comment by Cadillac Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:42 pm
If Arroyo works out a plea deal then CW1’s identity may not be revealed. If CW1 cooperates “enough,” then the feds may not charge him in the tax evasion case. It is possible Link is banking on and hoping for that.
Comment by Ally McBeal Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:45 pm
=== If Link is the informant he has to know the smokescreen is temporary. He’ll either be called to testify, or be charged with the tax stuff, and then we’ll know.=====
Also, I would think Arroyo would be venting to at least his family. And weren’t there a couple more people in the restaurant? No way somebody doesn’t say something.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:48 pm
Ron Burgundy is right. CW’s “motivation” for informing is a big part of this.
Comment by Jimmy John Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:51 pm
I highly doubt TWO newspapers would print Link’s name if they didn’t have a solid source. He didn’t deny wearing the wire. He is guilty, and his colleagues don’t trust him. It’s just a matter of time before it comes out. Better to resign with dignity than get kicked out in disgrace.
Comment by Realtalk992 Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:53 pm
Arroyo knows who he said it to… I’m sure he’s the one who leaked it to the Trib and SunTimes (or at least caused it to be leaked). Link will be dining alone these days…
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 1:00 pm
===I’m sure he’s the one who leaked it===
Never be sure in this business.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 1:01 pm
This is non-denial denial. Anyway, whoever CW-1 is might never take the witness stand. An FBI agent might have to take the stand because CW-1 is a very unlikable person that did at least yield much information on the wire. Of course that assumes there will be a trial from CW-1’s work.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 1:08 pm
Terry doth protest too much.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 1:09 pm
Just send all Illinois politicians to jail where they belong and start from scratch. The corruption runs too far and deep.
Comment by Corruption in Illinois Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 1:16 pm
- Realtalk992 - Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 12:53 pm:
=I highly doubt TWO newspapers would print Link’s name if they didn’t have a solid source.=
You are joking, right?
Three weeks ago both Capitol Fax and the Champaign News Gazette published headlines that Lou Lang was an investor in the Danville casino.
Upon very cursory investigation, it turns out that neither source took the 15 seconds necessary to call former Rep. Lang and ask him. They just printed fabricated nonsense.
Two “news” sources printing something is no longer evidence of anything. The abject laziness of it makes a goofball President who crucifies them daily for this behavior a prophet.
Comment by Get Real Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 1:28 pm
If I was the Sen. Link, and I knew I was not the CW1, I would ask the Feds to make a statement to that regard. I’m not sure if they would do that or even they can. But at the next press conference Sen. Link should say ‘I am innocent and I call on the FBI to make a statement that I am not the CW1 and clear my name.”
Comment by Nagidam Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 2:11 pm
From Dave McKinney’s twitter feed:
== Link wanted to make this point loud and clear after the day he had today in Springfield: “I wouldn’t know why anybody would want to cooperate with any law enforcement if this is the abuse you’re going to take if you are cooperating.” ==
That’s a curious quote from someone who claims not to be cooperating.
Comment by TNR Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 2:18 pm
Nadigam - He can absolutely do that. If he doesn’t it will be telling. And the Feds can certainly say if someone is not involved - they issue assurances such as “non-target letters” in investigations routinely.
As for the speculation that Arroyo is the leaker, that would be an odd thing to admit if he’s planning on fighting the charges. Yeah I had that meeting, and here’s who I talked to…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 2:28 pm
OK Rich, you’re correct I can’t be sure. But I strongly suspect Arroyo caused the leak of Link’s name, and Link’s statements today only heighten that suspicion. I think they’re a bit unhappy with each other.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 2:36 pm
Part of the game the feds play is to make their case look iron clad, even stretching the truth /importance of so called CI or CW statements. They use a maximum pressure campaign to force a target to take a plea. The feds only have to worry about the truthfulness/motives of witnesses if it goes to trial. Look at UNITED STATES V. RUIZ, the feds can engage in skulduggery all they want if they can get the plea.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 2:37 pm
I kinda figured it might be Link after the twilight of career comment and it pertains to gaming. Terry might not want to keep answering questions but given he is the senate gaming point person he’ll have no choice. Unless he disappears like Solis as has been mentioned.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 3:24 pm
Is it possible its another senator that covers lake county? Terry link is the most well known in the area but aren’t there other senators up there?
Comment by BigLou Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:11 pm
Big Lou, here are some State Senators for whom a Skokie restaurant (and maybe a Highland Park restaurant) wouldn’t be so much of a stretch:
Morrison (Deerfield)
McConchie (Hawthorn Woods ***R***)
Bush (Grayslake)
Fine (Glenview — Skokie is in her District)
Villivalam (Skokie)
Murphy (Park Ridge)
Gillespie (Rolling Meadows)
Martwick (Norwood Park)
Who do you got?
Comment by Speculating with a map Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:36 pm
The transcript specifies that CW-1 is a male, so that eliminates most of that list. CW-1 also claimed to be in the twilight of his career. Villivalam was just elected. Martwick is even newer than that.
Comment by headache Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 4:43 pm
^. And likely someone for whom gaming was a specialty
Comment by low level Tuesday, Oct 29, 19 @ 5:42 pm