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* Jon Seidel and Robert Herguth…
The mayor of southwest suburban Crestwood faces a federal bribery charge in a new indictment made public Friday that centers on the politically connected red-light camera company SafeSpeed, court records show.
Louis Presta, 69, has also been charged with filing false tax returns and lying to the FBI and IRS, allegedly about whether an envelope Presta took during a March 2018 meeting with a SafeSpeed representative had been stuffed full of $5,000 cash.
Presta’s indictment is the latest public sign of the feds’ ongoing public corruption investigations, which last month led to a bribery charge against the utility company ComEd. However, Presta’s indictment appears to be part of a separate investigation that earlier this year led to a guilty plea by former state Sen. Martin Sandoval.
In the Presta case, prosecutors say Presta sought and received benefits from SafeSpeed representatives while SafeSpeed sought to expand its services in Crestwood. They also say Presta was interviewed by federal authorities in September, around the time of a series of raids by federal agents that included Sandoval’s office at the state capitol in Springfield.
Some background is here.
*** UPDATE *** From the US Attorney…
The mayor of Crestwood has been indicted by a federal grand jury for using an interstate facility in aid of bribery, and lying to federal law enforcement about his request and receipt of benefits from a representative of a red-light camera company that provided services to the southwest suburb.
LOUIS PRESTA, 69, of Crestwood, is charged with three counts of using a facility in interstate commerce in aid of bribery and official misconduct, two counts of willfully filing a false income tax return, one count of willfully failing to file an income tax return, and one count of making false statements to the FBI and IRS. The indictment was returned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Arraignment has not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Stetler and James P. Durkin.
According to the indictment, the red-light camera company provided camera services to Crestwood that enabled the municipality to issue tickets to motorists for certain traffic violations. During that time and while the company was attempting to provide additional such services to Crestwood, Presta asked for and accepted benefits from representatives of the company, the indictment states.
The false statement charge pertains to Presta’s September 2019 interview with the FBI and IRS, during which Presta denied receiving gifts, cash, or campaign contributions from the red-light camera company. When shown a recording of a March 7, 2018, meeting at which Presta allegedly accepted from the company representative an envelope containing $5,000 in cash, Presta falsely stated that there was no money in the envelope, the indictment states.
The tax charges in the indictment accuse Presta of willfully filing a false income tax return for the calendar years 2015 and 2018, and willfully failing to file an income tax return for the calendar year 2014.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The bribery and false statement counts are each punishable by up to five years in prison. Filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years, while failing to file a tax return carries a maximum sentence of one year. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 3:25 pm
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Never take the money.
Ever.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 3:32 pm
Drove past Springfield and went to St Louis. I guess he doesn’t have a smart phone. Also, he should have asked for gift cards, not cash.
Comment by pool boy Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 3:36 pm
I am always surprised by how little it takes to bribe an Illinois official. They work cheap.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 3:53 pm
===Presta asked for and accepted benefits from representatives of the company, the indictment states.===
My sense is that these unnamed SafeSpeed representatives know who they are, and have probably have already been visited by the FBI. Still, they aren’t going to sleep well tonight.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 3:58 pm
One down, many more to go in Illinois, and at all levels of government. They all think they’ll never get caught because they’re so slick or “important”.
Comment by revvedup Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 3:59 pm
@47th Ward- If he was shown a recording and lied about it I’m guessing the unnamed person was the one recording?
Comment by Frank talks Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:06 pm
Wow - this guy is a complete doofus. Read the indictment:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1302856/download
Comment by Powdered Whig Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:14 pm
Now when is Rodney Davis and Mike Bost next? They’ve been probably been doing this for years
Comment by Mr Waffle Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:21 pm
=== Now when is Rodney Davis and Mike Bost next? They’ve been probably been doing this for years ===
What basis do you have to say that? Im a dem and dont agree with either of those two guys but throwing unfounded criminal accusations against someone because you disagree with them is not cool.
Comment by Powdered Whig Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:25 pm
MJM should keep his lawyer close on Fridays
Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:26 pm
Powdered Whig - Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:25 pm:
Rodney Davis played a starring role in the George Ryan clout list
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:27 pm
It’s unfortunate that this one bad apple will detract from SafeSpeed’s mission of making our towns and communities safer. \s
Comment by Pundent Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:29 pm
69 years old and he gets himself in the fed system for 5Gs. Crazy.
Comment by park Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:32 pm
Who has a Red Light Camera Bingo Card handy? I want to know who is left for a Friday visit.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 7, 20 @ 4:35 pm