Thursday, April 29, 2021

Chicago two-fer: Alderman and Daley nephew indicted, so is a former alderman

Wow even in Chicago, one of the most crooked cities in America, today's news is probably unprecedented. 

First, a current Chicago alderman, Patrick Daley Thompson (11th Ward) was indicted today. And he's not just any alderman as you see.

From NBC Chicago:

Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, grandson of former Mayor Richard J. Daley and nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, has been charged in a federal indictment related to a bank in the Bridgeport neighborhood where the powerful family has lived for decades.

The seven-count indictment charges Daley Thompson with allegedly filing false tax returns and lying about more than $200,000 in loans received from Washington Federal Bank for Savings, which was shut down.

One or more of the loans, according to the indictment, was allegedly never reported or fully paid. The loans were allegedly received by Daley Thompson before he was elected alderman.

That's right, he's a member of the Daley clan. 

And there's more! One day! Two indictments! In separate investigations!

From WGN-TV: 

Former Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz has been indicted on federal fraud charges. While serving as alderman of the 22nd Ward in Chicago, prosecutors allege Munoz used campaign money for personal expenses. 

Prosecutors allege Munoz used the funds to pay a relative’s college tuition and other personal expenses, including jewelry, clothing, cell phones, vacations, sports tickets, and airline tickets.

Munoz allegedly obtained funds through cash withdrawals and debit card charges from the Chicago Progressive Reform Caucus (CPRC) bank account or by transferring funds from CPRC to another political fund he controlled – Citizens for Munoz (CFM) – and then on to his personal checking account, according to the indictment.

This one is rich too! The feds are accuing Munoz of stealing from a progressive group. 

On average a Chicago alderman is sent to prison every 18 months. Since 1973 over thirty City Council members have spent time in the federal pokey. 

Thompson and Munoz are Democrats.

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