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* You almost need a visual aid to follow this story about some rather shady fellows…
The operator of a Summit bar that’s come under scrutiny as part of a political corruption investigation in the southwest suburbs is an associate of a top political operative for Ald. Edward Burke and state Sen. Martin Sandoval, both facing their own problems with federal investigators.
Mariano “Mario” Martinez — who runs Mars Bar, 6030 S. Harlem Ave. — has personal and professional connections to Rudy Acosta Sr., a Burke precinct captain and Sandoval pal, according to records and interviews.
Martinez, 50, was charged earlier this year with possessing and distributing a kilo of heroin.
Court papers filed in March by his lawyer identify Acosta’s nephew as the “cooperating witness” who helped federal authorities ensnare Martinez.
Martinez’s name surfaced after federal agents visited Summit on Sept. 26 as part of the ongoing corruption probe and questioned Mayor Sergio Rodriguez on matters including whether political pressure was applied to get Mars Bar a late-hours liquor license, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
* Tribune…
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday said she’s not sure whether she’ll call for Commissioner Jeff Tobolski to resign from his elected position, despite his absence from three important board meetings.
Preckwinkle, who is chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, recently called on Tobolski, who is also mayor in McCook, to step down from his committee leadership posts.
“I’m not sure how this is going to play out. I don’t want to speculate now on what actions I may take in the future,” she said. “I think it was clear to me anyway that we needed to make some changes in leadership as a result of his continued absence, and we’re in the process of doing that. We’ll have some recommendations for the December meeting.”
* Meanwhile…
A south suburban developer is in the early stages of a deal that could bring horse racing back to Balmoral Park near south suburban Crete as part of a project that would include casino-style gambling. […]
But before Goldberg’s plan for Balmoral can be realized, state lawmakers would have to amend the gambling expansion bill Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law this summer. The law permitted a horse track and casino to operate in any of six south suburban Cook County townships, and Balmoral is in Will County. […]
A proposal for a new “racino” in Tinley Park was derailed after Pritzker stepped in to quash a sale of state land for the project. The governor’s action came after the Tribune reported the developer’s longstanding business ties to a banking family with reputed mob connections.
…Adding… Forgot about this one…
A former vice chancellor at City Colleges of Chicago and seven others have been indicted on federal charges alleging they ran a $350,000 kickback scheme that awarded college contracts to a series of companies with ties to the administrator’s relatives and associates.
In some cases, no work was even performed, the charges alleged.
Sharod Gordon, 45, of Oak Park, was charged in an indictment made public Wednesday with 16 counts of wire fraud. At the time of the alleged scheme, Gordon served as City Colleges’ associate vice chancellor for community relations and recruitment and later the vice chancellor of legislative and community affairs.
Also charged was Gordon’s ex-wife, Angelique Orr, 49, and two former employees of City Colleges who worked under Gordon, Krystal Stokes, 39, and Marva Smith 37. Katheryn Hayes, a spokeswoman for City Colleges, said Stokes worked as a project director and Smith as a liaison for local government agencies, both since November 2011. Stokes left in February 2018, while Smith’s last day was Wednesday, she said.
More info is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:59 pm
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the racino at the old Balmoral Park has bigger issues than getting a new gaming bill. there is an addendum to the deed of the property that specifically forbids any legalized/authorized gambling on the property..
Comment by NotRich Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:08 pm
To Preckwinkle,
Dictating benchmarks for someone to serve as an elected official is always a tough decision, but it’s also a very finite end game too. The easy lean … is to say one won’t put that benchmark on those serving together, others can choose their own standard, but the real fear is Preckwinkle cornering herself to a standard she may not want unilaterally applied without a pause.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:25 pm
Preckwinkle’s comment just makes me remember her own involvement with Alderman Burke. It is almost like “I need to be careful demanding things of commissioners because I might end up looking like a hypocrite.”
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:30 pm
Both the Tribune and Sun Times have been doing some really solid journalism lately with respect to local and regional issues. They sometimes come to their stories from different angles via different sources and through the lenses of their historic political leanings –but mostly good work in the end. Shows why this town needs two daily papers. Especially in times like these.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:34 pm
I’ve driven past Mars Bar countless times. Has the vibe of a wannabe club. Ominous green and purple lighting outside. Before it was a bar, it sold over-sized rims, probably to types that would patronize their lame club.
Comment by City Zen Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:38 pm
Responsa I absolutely agree. It would be a shame if the new owners of the Trib mess with it too much.
Politically speaking I think most of the ire is directed towards the editorial boards. The rank and file journalists seem great.
Comment by Davesurance.com Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:40 pm
The recent Federal indictment of City Colleges vice chancellor of a kickback scheme with lobbyists (also indicted) should be added to the corruption roundup.
Comment by Too-da-loo-mf Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:09 pm
===The recent Federal indictment===
You’re right. Forgot about it.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:15 pm
Getting that license out of Bob Rita’s home area and down to Crete is going to be a major undertaking. On the other hand, I wouldn’t underestimate Phil Goldberg’s ability to get a deal done. He has a history of making hard to do projects in the South Suburbs work.
Comment by SouthSide Markie Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:19 pm
Yes, This. ” Both the Tribune and Sun Times have been doing some really solid journalism lately ”
But also WBEZ has really been upping their work too. Great work journalists !
Comment by Also Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:21 pm
I wonder if Rudy will become as famous as Pete Andrews? A lot of talent in those Burke precinct captains.
Comment by Steve Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:51 pm
6 degrees ( or less) of separation between political corruption scandals.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:58 pm
I think every election cycle we should just pick names out of a phone book. Way less corruption
Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 4:08 pm