The Watchdogs
Investigations of government, politicians, education, business and issues affecting taxpayers and consumers.
Criminal gangs might be selling your identity to fraudsters. Here’s how and how to protect yourself.
They use sham bank accounts and online marketplaces to create “drop accounts” to steal from almost anyone — and some banks do little to fight the fraud. One victim: the Illinois EPA.
Tim Mapes, longtime chief of staff to one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians, listened as a federal prosecutor accused him of flaunting his oath to tell the truth, committing crimes and choosing “Team Madigan” as a grand jury closed in on his old boss.
The email, sent by Michael McClain to Tim Mapes and others close to Madigan, was used by prosecutors in Mapes’ perjury trial to undercut the argument that Mapes didn’t remember McClain doing tasks or assignments for Madigan at the time.
The email and others appeared to underscore the feds’ contention that Tim Mapes was well aware of a federal investigation and its key points before he wound up in front of the grand jury and drew a blank on some questions.
The link between the chemicals and this cancer among service members had never directly been proven — until now.
Agent Brendan O’Leary told jurors that Michael Madigan depended on “his tight inner circle,” which is why the FBI was so interested in hearing what his longtime chief of staff, Tim Mapes, would say in front of a grand jury.
Defense attorneys argued that Tim Mapes did not lie to a grand jury in 2021 but didn’t know or couldn’t remember the answers to certain questions he was asked under oath.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz has signaled one witness will likely be former state Rep. Greg Harris, who was secretly recorded by the FBI speaking with a longtime Madigan ally about becoming majority leader.
His lawyers say he testified truthfully for hours in response to questions from prosecutors who asked more than 650 questions.
Tim Mapes goes on trial Monday on charges of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice for his alleged bid to block the criminal investigation of the former House speaker and of Springfield insider Michael McClain.
After a judge ordered a veteran’s financial accounts off-limits, former Judge Patricia Martin allegedly transferred about $1,200 from cryptocurrency accounts she set up using money she allegedly stole from Oscar Wilkerson.
Despite Lori Lightfoot’s promise her Board of Ed wouldn’t be ‘a rubber stamp,’ it seldom crossed her
All but 24 of 2,048 votes by school board members the former mayor appointed were unanimously approved — a 99% passage rate with 98% unanimity, the Sun-Times found.
Investigators recently approached or interviewed current and former village officials, asking how Alsip chose SafeSpeed as its red-light camera contractor.
Prosecutors have used a monthslong wiretap of Michael Madigan confidant Michael McClain’s phone to make their case that Tim Mapes lied in 2021 and tried to block the feds’ aggressive investigation of Madigan and McClain.
‘Devastating blow to the Gangster Disciples’: Life sentences for 4 leaders, 32-year term for another
Frank Smith, 50, of Naperville, got a life sentence Thursday.
Said Qreini was arrested in late July while boarding a plane for Turkey, authorities say.
Tim Mapes is on trial for perjury and attempted obstruction of justice for allegedly trying to block the feds’ investigation of Michael Madigan and Michael McClain, who face criminal charges of their own.
The units made by Gree Electric Appliances are linked to house fires and four deaths. It’s the latest recall for a company that’s faced civil and criminal cases over its dehumidifiers.
“I didn’t believe we should be giving a contract to a firm with a history of fraud,” says the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Cameron Davis, whose agency hired Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp.
And City Hall’s inspector general says she is continuing to investigate possible Paycheck Protection Program fraud.
Chicago gang boss Jeff Fort. Chicago Outfit hitman Harry Aleman. Daley nephew Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko. Actor Jussie Smollett. These were among Toomin’s big cases.
Most Read