Alderman Troutman
Posted on 05/21/2004 7:21:18 PM PDT by Land_of_Lincoln_John
May 21, 2004 — Alderman Arenda Troutman was questioned by the FBI about her relationship with an alleged gang member after a letter from the Chicago Police Dept. to Troutman was found during a raid. Now, Troutman's brother tells ABC 7 that the 20th Ward alderman had a romantic relationship with fugitive Donnell Jehan.
According to Troutman's brother, Arenda and Jehan spent a lot of time together last year and were lovers. Arenda was not available for comment today.
Troutman's South Side office at 59th and South State was closed Friday morning so the Reverend Andre Smith -- who owns a business in the ward -- was unable to ask the alderman what she told federal investigators this week about her relationship with an alleged gang leader.
"As a public official, we look up to you. You know, we depend on you. And then once we hear it's like this, I mean, you let us down," said Rev. Andre Smith, 20th Ward business owner.
Last week, when federal agents arrested dozens of Black Disciple gang members in a drug conspiracy case, they found a letter from Chicago Police Patrol Chief James Maurer addressed to Troutman, the 20th alderman. The letter on police letterhead was in the home of fugitive Donnell Jehan, who allegedly is the Black Disciple's second in command. Police say such a letter would not have contained sensitive information.
"We understand that when you deal with the community and anybody in the community that information could begin the wrong hands. We understand that," said Dana Starks, Chicago Police Department.
According to federal court documents, Jehan--whose street name is "Scandalous"--was headquartered in the CHA building where Black Disciples allegedly sold $300,000 a day in cocaine, heroin and marijuana. The criminal information also alleges Jehan ran the day-to-day operations; sometimes ordered Black Disciple members to shoot rival gangster disciple members; and that on one occasion he fought with police.
Arenda Troutman's brother, Ben-- who would not speak on camera-- said last year, his sister had a romantic relationship with Jehan. Ben Troutman also told ABC7 his sister was unaware of Jehan's drug business and that after he and others warned the alderman about her boyfriend, she broke off the relationship. That was four or five months ago.
The Rev. Smith -- who admits he did not support Troutman in the last city election --says the alderman owes her constituents an explanation.
"As an alderman, you are the father and mother of the community. She wasn't a good mother," said Rev. Smith.
In March Troutman made news when she reported a rash of burglaries at her house and asked police for a 24 guard, which they refused.
Wasn't this on Broadway? "South Side Story" or something like that?
Alderman Troutman
Only in Chicago ping...
Mike Royko may be gone, but Oliphant isn't. Let's see if he takes this latest Chicago scandal and draws a cartoon on the level of "The Annual Running of the Alter Boys at St. Paedophilia's".
But given that he is a bit of a Liberal, let's not hold our breath waiting.
Yeah, Mike Royko would have had a field day with this. He'd need dozens of his beloved manual typewriters to keep up with the corruption in Chicago now.
The greatest columnist of all time, IMO.
"What the hell is going on in my city?"
oooh baybee! Alderman Troutman got it goin' on!
Illinois politics keeps getting better and better.
"Love has no pride"
We had a very foxy lady election commissioner down here in Broward County. Totally incompetent, she had to be dragged kicking and screaming from elective office. Jeb Bush had to give her the boot. At $110k/year was the best job she ever had. Miriam Oliphant.
Y'see, Dennis, we don't have those problems here in Pinellas County.
All we've got is a bunch of Greek men dancing with each other...
.
Is that a good thing?..............FRegards
The freak needs a roughneck... Word
God, I miss Royko. Thanks for posting his picture, it brought back endless memories of great articles.
Slats Grobnik BUMP
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