Posted on 09/08/2007 9:19:39 AM PDT by LdSentinal
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich and an Illinois congressman are standing behind a man who got a high-ranking state job despite serving prison time for refusing to cooperate in a federal investigation of a militant group.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat, praised Steven Guerra on Friday for doing "excellent work" in private and public sectors pushing health and education issues.
Blagojevich continues to support Guerra, who "unequivocally" condemns violence by the Armed Forces of National Liberation, identified by the acronym FALN, and denies he was ever a member, said spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff.
Guerra, 53, is Blagojevich's deputy chief of staff for community services, a job that pays $120,000 a year. The Illinois Department of Human Services hired him in 2003.
In 1983, Guerra was convicted of contempt of court in New York for not testifying in investigations of FALN. The Puerto Rican separatist group claimed responsibility for over 100 bombings in the U.S. that killed six and injured dozens from 1974 to 1983.
Guerra, who was not charged in any of the group's attacks, was sentenced to three years in prison and released in 1986 after serving 23 months, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday.
According to a sentencing memo, Guerra was a FALN insider, knew of its workings and advocated violent tactics. It said admitted FALN member Alfredo Mendez accused Guerra of advocating "the violent overthrow of the United States government."
The memo also claimed Guerra was identified as a leader of "the resistance in the United States" when he attended "a meeting of a cross section of terrorists" in Puerto Rico. Discussed at the meeting were plans to ambush police officers and bomb dams.
In April 2002, about a year before he joined the Blagojevich administration, the federal government filed two tax liens against Guerra, according to Cook County court docket records reviewed by The Associated Press.
The records indicate one lien, for $7,628 against Guerra and Iris Alicea, who shared the same Chicago address, was satisfied in June 2006. But the records don't show any resolution to the other against Guerra for nearly $34,000. The dockets don't say why the liens were filed.
Gutierrez recommended Guerra for his job with the Blagojevich administration, the Sun-Times reported.
Gutierrez said in a statement that Guerra made "what he considered a principled decision" not to testify in the 1983 terrorism case, "and he paid a heavy price." Since then, Gutierrez said, Guerra has worked hard for accessible health care and education.
"He has done excellent work at numerous community-based organizations in Chicago, and has been an effective and exemplary employee of the state of Illinois," Gutierrez said.
A call Friday to Guerra's office was referred to Ottenhoff.
The Blagojevich aide said Guerra denies the "hearsay statements attributed to Mr. Mendez."
"Steven was never a member of FALN or involved in activities that posed a threat to the public," Ottenhoff said in a written statement. "He clearly and unequivocally condemns the violence attributed to FALN."
She said Guerra disclosed the felony to the Blagojevich administration before he was hired.
The fellow in question was a reccomendation of Luis Guttierez. Looey Guitar has his own history with the FALN.
Blagojevich doesn’t care about the State of Illinois, he only cares about certain areas of Chicago where he is from and they will demand he keep this guy.
FALN terrorist support is not a disqualifier in Democrat Administrations considering Clinton Pardons for the group.
Corrupt? Immoral? Anti-American? Anti-semitic? Atheistic? Opposed to property rights and freedom of expression? Well then the Democrats have got a political party for you.
bump
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