CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Guilty

Re: Guilty

Food for thought... — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:06:40 -0000

#1. Who paid for sorich's lawyer? Daley? LOL
#2. Will employees who got thier jobs through this scam be interviewed by the feds to determine the trail of contacts (Aldermen and senators) to sorich & co ? Out of 5000, I think they'll get enough to "flip".
#3. I think they should interview or get statements from the "sponsors" first. Then get statements from the "sponsored" and see if they match up?

Re: Guilty

Rico Shankman aka Wumpus — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:26:45 -0000

Is this part of the same case where the witness list was faxed over to city hall and passed around?

Also, Skoien is that much closer to having to pay that bounty.

Re: Guilty

Minion — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 13:30:50 -0000

(to the tune of the Mickey Mouse club)

"Who was the leader of the club with jobs for you and me?

V-I-C-T-O-R R-E-Y-E-S

Who's the guy with all the clout with lots of money?

V-I-C-T-O-R R-E-Y-E-S

"Victor Reyes (Mayor Daley!)
Victor Reyes (Mayor Daley!)

Forever lets us walk precincts statewide (wide wide wide!)

Come along and sing along
it's a contract jamboree!!!

V-I-C-T-O-R R-E-Y-E-S

Now it's time to say goodbye
To friends and family

V-I-C, See you real soon
T-O-R, Why? Because we'll miss you
R-E-Y-E-S

Re: Guilty

Not So Fast — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:29:24 -0000

You'd think after how well Dan Webb's pompous stratagem of "we don't have to put on a defense because the prosecution's case is so weak" blew up in his face, Durkin would have learned something from it. But no, he did the same thing. What kind of "representation" are these defendants getting? Is it all about the "all or nothing" egos of their attorneys. These guys should have pled out or put in a defense. The same goes for Ryan. This kind of move may work in defending some weak state prosecution, but the feds don't bring a case until they have the evidence to convict.

Re: Guilty

Garp — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:59:17 -0000

Axlrod wants fixing jobs to be a civil violation. What that means is Daley can hire whomever he chooses, however he chooses and if the courts find it wrong-the taxpayers foot the bill.

For example, the 19 year old building inspector gets hired for about $100,000 including benfits and the city is sued. Not only do the taxpayers have to pay the kid that can't perform the job but now they have to pay everyone who was wronged by not getting the job. Daley would get to keep his hack and the taxpayers get reemed even more.

What a great concept. Thanks Captain Comb-over.

Re: Guilty

19th Ward — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 10:29:08 -0000

Methinks someone from 19 has been chirping quite a bit over the last few months...he's one tuff and smart SOB who's not going to let Daleys, Degnan, Reyes, et al. take him down.

He will be the last man standing.

Re: Guilty

Bondi Girl — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:18:41 -0000

the dearth of qualified candidates for Mayor of the City of Chicago is making me feel weak in the knees--this verdict is sad in that a brilliant politician and outstanding Mayor who has done fabulous things for the city and it's residents will soon probably no longer do the only job he ever wanted because of his overwhelming desire for political power and control...the Mayor has brought down himself, his allies and their families, and the citizenry of the great City of Chicago and it's environs...This is a very sad day indeed for Democratic politics in Cook County...

Re: Guilty

Ravenswood Right Winger — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 08:51:24 -0000

I trust Rich will soon have a story on this, but Mike Tristano points the finger at Lee Daniels.

http://www.suntimes.com/out...

Carl Hansen for interim Cook County Board Prez!!

Re: Guilty

These People Have No Shame — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 03:10:06 -0000

Just watched the Chicago Tonight segment. Needed a shower after it.

Listened to Axelrod shill and shill and shill.
"He's a great Mayor", etc.

They all kept tiptoeing around the real issue. We are all tiptoeing around the real issue.

Let's face it. It is becoming obvious.

He knew. He knew it all. It was his system, and it was against the law. He knew that, too. Thousands were cheated because of it, and he didn't care, because it promoted his personal power. It was an intentional and direct violation of the law, and he was the leader of it.

He bretrayed us. He betrayed Chicago. He betrayed the law. He is going to go down.

Get ready for it.

He knew. We all know he knew. It's HIS system, after all.

Re: Guilty

a real JD — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:53:12 -0000

DuPage, are you a dope? The feds lost all their substantive counts? Have you even read the allegations? Obviously not.

47th, Sorich could conceivably do 20. 6-8 is more likely. The defendants got duped into letting their lawyers roll the dice on the jury not wanting to convict becuase they were just 'following orders', but the defense didn't bother to put anybody on the stand to say who was giving the orders. What a surprise :) I, almost, feel bad for these guys. Maybe the thought of being away from their families for years will help jog their memories about how things got done in City Hall. And yes, this does establish a RICO predicate.

My last tidbit for you people is that if you look closely, you will see that the Blago situation (investigations, leaked info, facts, etc.) is an almost uncanny synthesis of the Ryan case and the City Hall case. Indictments will come and they will start at a higher level then did either of the other two cases. Don't be surprised if the first 'Daley' indicted has nothing to do with City or County politics. Having cooperating witnesses helps.

Jackson has already folded on the mayoral thing, Louie's a non-issue, so now who is going to try to grab the 'reform' sword and run for Mayor?

Re: Guilty

silas - assassin opus dei monk — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 23:35:35 -0000

up next is victor and tony...my my, they sure will look purrty in orange next to bubba!

once they are convicted; cardenas, reboyras and the rest of the hdo puppets are fried, especially the carpet baggers....ahem cardenas.

Re: Guilty

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 23:29:18 -0000

Topinka's people must be shaking in their boots given all the political based hiring she's done in the Treasurer's office. Shouldn't she just turn herself in over the hiring of Congressman Bobby Rush's wife after the 2002 election where she had received Rush's help? That's just one example.

And how many promises have been made to state prison employees about what she'll do if elected?

How is any of that different from these guys today or from Blago?

Re: Guilty

***FLASH**** — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 23:26:41 -0000

BUSH GETS DALEY TO GRIP AT BIRTHDAY PARTY. DALEY..."OK MR.PRES. WADAUWANT TO CALL OFF DA POSSE?" Stop it mr mayor. Your not going to wiggle outta dis wun. Run "fair" election campaigns and stay out of neighborhood elections and let the "people" choose, not your friends!
How can you sleep at night?

Re: Guilty

Bubs — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:48:12 -0000

Oh Please and DuPage:

You guys have got to be kidding. "Poor, poor little picked-on Robbie Sorich," is that it? Spare us. He is a 100% 11th Ward Machine hack, and now a convicted felon, and he sure didn't have any sympathy for all those thousands of people that he cheated out of a fair shot at City jobs.

Political hiring below policy making levels is ILLEGAL these days, by consent decrees and U.S. Supreme Court rulings. That is a crippling blow to the Democratic Machine in Chicago and Illinois, I know, but you are just going to have to get used to that.

Want a hankie?

Re: Guilty

Schiznitz — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:44:06 -0000

These were exceptionally substantive verdicts. The foreman of the jury said the prosecution had an extremely strong case, he was appalled by what he saw, and it was the first step to exposing the Chicago Democrat patronage machine.

Dupage Moderate - you say you are disgusted, but these guys are going to jail from 5-20 years. Society says that is pretty damn serious.

Re: Guilty

Ignatius J. Reily — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:42:40 -0000

Yes these men have truly suffered--needlessly and let's not forget how many before them. But where are their Leaders? It all could have been prevented when it was evident that it would go to trial. But, when the bullets fly, this leadership stands BEHIND its men. It is very very sad. A monumental waste of loyalty. Remember Bush asserting that "He" leaked the name of that CIA agent? Short circuited that whole investigation of his inner circel. But then again love him or hate him-- he's a Texan! We're dealing with a totally different species here.

Re: Guilty

Denied a job. — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:40:47 -0000

I was denied a job and for years I thought there was something wrong with me. Was it my looks? was it my lack of knowledge? When talking to some of these "city workers" I could'nt figure out how they got thier job and I did'nt. Some of them could'nt even speak english. They told me I should talk to a guy named Victor or Tony.
Who the hell is tony or victor ? I said to myself.I live on the far south side I don't know these people. Well later on I foud out who these people were. I don't have the time nor do I know how to do political work. I'am a father of four and I'm a certified plumber. But I guess that was'nt enough.....maybe it is now??

Re: Guilty

Tom — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:38:05 -0000

Rigging tests scores, conducting sham interviews, these went beyond some simple Shakman violations.

Those guilty of an abhorrent abuse of power are Daley and others in his administration who rig the hiring and contracting systems to keep themselves in power.

Re: Guilty

DuPage Moderate — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:21:33 -0000

Oh, please.....I find it to be disgusting and an abhorrent abuse of power. Again, I would love to get these prosecutors on the stand and ask them how they got their jobs? Or their first jobs? Or their second jobs? What hypocrites.

Re: Guilty

DuPage Moderate — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:19:16 -0000

These were empty victories for the prosecution. They lost all of their substantive counts.

And Tom, do you really think that the Fed would have plea-bargained all of these guys down to lying to Feds and mail fraud? I think not...and I hope you are not a lawyer as I would think that your advice borders on malpractice.

Re: Guilty

Oh, please... — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:16:09 -0000

Do you all realize that while you are gloating about the misfortune of others, an appointed, non-elected, unaccountable federal prosecutor with unlimited resources picks and chooses who he takes down by turning a non-criminal system of government hiring (patronage) into a crime simply by labeling it corruption and using the media to villify these people? If we as a society decide to eliminate this type of government, why does it have to be via criminal prosecutions conducted at the whim of an unaccountable, unelected, appointed prosecutor? Doesn't anyone else find this to be suspect?

Re: Guilty

Wumpus aka Todd Jong Il — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:05:00 -0000

dmlawyer, yeah see what happens to you if he mob threatens your kids. You are silly. We need more John Kass's, now take your city paycheck and get back to work.

Re: Guilty

Tom — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 21:53:10 -0000

Daley was too dumb or arrogant to realize that the Feds meant business after Ryan was indicted. Congrats to Fitzgerald and his team on the convictions in this case. Perhaps Daley and his boys should consider the wacky idea of judging employees and applicants on, say, their merits.

As for Sorich and his crew don't shed any tears for them. They had every opportunity to roll on Vic Reyes and/or the mayor, but didn't. They and their attorneys didn't plea bargain. Now they have been added to the endless sea of bodies tossed under the Daley bus.

dmlawyer, you are one seriously disturbed man. What Aruban law school mailed you your law diploma, if you do in fact have one?

Re: Guilty

Ignatius J. Reily — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 21:43:56 -0000

Try to avoid the daily medication if you can and look what this man really says, this Lord Mayor who commands such loyalty-- to himself. Surpisingly, his words are not even hard to parse--its all right there. I'm sure it was written for him but he and only he can set this tone. See for yourselves: In 1) the first phrase of his statement he feels for these poor men. This is the slight of hand for the rest of the martyrs. But then in the second 2)phrase he pulls out all the stops to make sure that-- that which they could never do, can now that they are vanquished be finally be done ...fixed alas, with new leadership and staff and much money. Then finally, in 3) the incompetence and disgrace is mercifully swept away so that we may never again be so repulsed.

1) Ã¢â‚¬Å“While I accept the juryÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s decision, I am saddened by the verdict for these men and their families, because IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve never known them to be anything but hard-working, and I feel for them at this difficult time.

2)Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Department of Human Resources has a new leadership team with expanded responsibilities, as well as a larger staff and increased budget.

3)Ã¢â‚¬Å“We are committed to pursuing our reforms in the future to ensure that the best qualified applicants are hired.

Re: Guilty

M.V. — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 21:43:17 -0000

Jackson critiqing political hiring is a joke. This from a guy who is trying to build an airport few really want or need solely beacuse it will create, supposedly, 15,000 jobs. Jobs handed out by Jackson's airport commission. No reformer he.