Another Alderman Under Fitzgerald's Microscope

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Feb 19, 2009 5:55PM

Just as former alderman Arenda Troutman was sentenced to four years in prison for bribery/fraud charges this week, it looks like U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is focusing his attention on another City Council member: Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th). The Sun-Times is on the case:

Last year, the Chicago Sun-Times disclosed that federal investigators had requested city records on four West Side zoning changes pushed by Carothers. He had received campaign contributions from two of the businesses seeking the changes.

Now, a 2007 federal subpoena -- released in response to a Freedom of Information request -- reveals a demand for documents including seven years worth of aldermanic expense records; 29th Ward zoning changes; ordinances introduced by Carothers, and correspondence between Carothers and the mayor's office regarding zoning changes

The subpoena further demanded information on comments made and votes taken by Carothers since January 2001 before two City Council committees. Carothers could not be reached for comment.

Chicago developer-turned-FBI mole John Thomas, who played a key role in the Tony Rezko investigation, is helping the feds out in hopes of getting his sentence for a felony fraud conviction knocked down to probation. Thomas allegedly recorded hundreds of hours of conversations with an unnamed Chicago alderman who could very well be Carothers. According to the Sun-Times, "Carothers' New 29th Ward Campaign Committee had accepted, then returned $11,000 in campaign contributions from Morgan Properties, Inc., where FBI mole John Thomas is listed as 'manager.'"