Free Republic

Accused of pocketing $50,000 in bribes and obstructing justice, Chicago City Clerk Jim Laski resigned Monday after changing lawyers to an attorney with a reputation for negotiating plea agreements. After reviewing incriminating transcripts of secretly recorded government tapes, attorney Jeffrey Steinback said he advised Laski, 52, to give up his $135,545-a-year paycheck. The resignation, hand-delivered to Mayor Daley's chief of staff Ron Huberman, comes less than two weeks after Laski promised to stay on the job and "keep fighting" the corruption charges against him. "We discussed it, and he and I determined that it was in his best interest and...

Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate said in the Democrats' weekly radio address Saturday that "honest leadership will help all Americans." He also said there is "a culture of corruption that is preventing government from dealing with the real needs of our nation." Durbin was directly referring to the Republican Party, which has controlled the legislative branch of the federal government since 2003, and the executive branch since 2001. Of more recent vintage is the Jack Abramoff Scandal: The crooked ex-lobbyist had ties to both parties, but his GOP connections were more extensive, and for Republican politicians on...

City Clerk James Laski has been secretly recorded as part of the federal Hired Truck investigation, and two of his close associates are cooperating with investigators, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. Laski has allegedly made incriminating statements on the secret tape recordings, according to people familiar with the matter. Federal prosecutors played selections of the secret recordings last month in a meeting with Laski to show the strength of their case against him and persuade him to cooperate with the investigation, sources said. The outcome of the meeting could not be determined. 'Trying to work out a deal'"He's leaning toward...

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) Political clout may have played a role in the promotion of a 25-year-veteran of the Chicago Fire Department who was charged with setting eight fires in the city and suburbs. Lieutenant Jeffrey Boyle faces eight counts of felony arson -- four in connection with fires on Chicago's far northwest side on Sunday and Monday. Chicago and Park Ridge police are working together to investigate other arson fires that Boyle may have been involved in, Chicago police Bomb and Arson Section Lt. Wayne Micek said at a Thursday news conference at Chicago police headquarters. Boyle is suspected in about...

The Chicago Park District awarded a 20-year lease to run the swanky restaurant at Millennium Park to a businessman who got a top Park District official pregnant during negotiations, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. What's more, the businessman, Matthew A. O'Malley, lined up a host of investors for the Park Grill that included some of Mayor Daley's friends and neighbors. On Thursday, after inquiries by the Sun-Times, the Daley administration announced it would force the key players at Park Grill to renegotiate their deal with the Park District. "They've been essentially told that you must change the terms of this...

Jeffrey Boyle, 46, remained in police custody Thursday, charged with four felony counts of arson in connection with four Northwest Side fires. Boyle was a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department, NBC5's Anita Padilla reported. He is due in bond court Friday. The lieutenant, whose address was listed as being in the 7000 block of North Ozark Avenue, was charged with setting fire to the Immaculate Conception School, at 7263 W. Talcott Ave., early Monday, Greer said. He was also charged for fires set at 6262 N. Harlem Ave., 5801 N. Natoma Ave., and 7229 W. Palatine Ave., said...

CHICAGO (CBS 2) Mayor Daley took new steps Wednesday to try to end the epidemic of embarrassing scandals inside City Hall. He is proposing increased prison time and other penalties for those who try to corrupt city programs. The mayor offered a few more details on changes he wants in the way if City Hall hires private trucks. It’s a program federal prosecutors say was hijacked by crooks. But sill some aldermen disagree with Daley’s proposal. When he pounds the gavel hard enough, Rich Daley almost always gets what he wants from the City Council. But the possibility that the...