Results tagged “investigation”

Authorities with the Cook County sheriff's office are holding three Thai women who claim they had been forced into prostitution upon arriving in the U.S. a few weeks ago, prompting an investigation into a possible human trafficking ring. The women, who say they've been in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Texas, aren't expected to face criminal charges and federal authorities have joined the investigation into the ring. [Tribune]

CTA officials are investigating whether an unidentified bus driver followed procedure or ignored a person in distress after a passenger was attacked with a chemical two week ago, the Tribune reports.

It's the scandal that just won't stop. U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., also known as Candidate 5 in the federal indictment of former governor Rod Blagojevich is still the subject of a federal investigation into his role in the whole Blago saga. Previously, it had been alleged that emissaries for Jackson had promised to raise upwards money for then-governor Blagojevich in exchange for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama upon his election. Besides the current federal investigation, there's also an ethics committee probe with which Jackson has promised full cooperation. The investigation has now turned to whether or not Jackson improperly used his congressional staff to aid him in his pitch to Blago and that's beginning to "overlap" with the ethics probe, leading investigators to ask the ethics probe to hang back so as not to interfere with their investigation.

Authorities have closed Burr Oak Cemetery in suburban Alsip, even to those seeking information as to the condition of their loved ones' graves, as their investigation into a scheme that involved over 300 bodies being disinterred continues. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart advised concerned family members to head to the front gates of the cemetery where they could pass information along to sheriff's officials. Dart made the decision after second site of remains and disturbed graves was made on the grounds yesterday. Dart said, “It has become abundantly clear to us that this crime scene is going to continue to grow. We do not have an end in sight.” A temporary restraining order by the sheriff's office to put a moratorium on burials at Burr Oak was dropped. Said Sally Daly, spokeswoman for the Cook County States Attorney's office, "Initially there was discussion of obtaining a temporary restraining order to make sure no more digging, no more funerals, so as to preserve the scene. At this point the lawyers for the cemetery have agreed to discontinue any funeral or any kind of excavating at the cemetery." The cemetery could be closed for up to a week as the investigation continues. [Tribune, Sun-Times]

As the investigation into the Clout list at the University of Illinois continues, the feds now have reason to look at former governor Rod Blagojevich. The Tribune reports that the U.S. Attorney's office subpoenaed the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University today in connection with the investigation, which is also looking into if any of Blago's people - including Tony Rezko and Len Monk - did the same. The University of Illinois subpoena confirms it is in connection to the criminal case against Blago.

Yesterday, the Sun-Times' Natasha Korecki reported that the Office of Congressional Ethics is now investigating U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. and his role in attempting to land the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama that then-governor Rod Blagojevich allegedly attempted to sale off to the highest bidder. Jackson isn't the first lawmaker to be investigated by the office; he joins none other than current holder of the seat in question, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris.

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:

A story that is just beginning to unfold: Governor Bill Richardson is withdrawing his name from nomination for Secretary of Commerce. This news comes as a grand jury is investigating how a California company contributing to Richardson’s political activities won a $1 billion contract with the state of New Mexico.

There's no joy in Mudville, or wherever the hell Tankboy's DJ'ing this evening. MillerCoors has reached an agreement with the city of San Francisco and 13 Attorneys General — including Lisa Madigan — to remove caffeine, ginseng, guarana and taurine from its Sparks energy drink. MillerCoors is also paying $550,000 to cover the cost of the investigation into Sparks and whether it was targeting young drinkers.

After the Tribune ran their exclusive yesterday about former Blagojevich aide and friend John Wyma wearing a wire, Blago denied the information supposedly gathered was true. Now Wyma says he never even wore a wire or recording device at all. Wyma's attorney issued a statement saying, "Today, there are news articles suggesting that John Wyma has worn a wire or otherwise recorded conversations as part of a federal investigation. Contrary to those stories, Mr. Wyma has not worn any wire or recorded any conversations; nor is he aware of any such recorded conversations." Well either Blago, Wyma, or the anonymous source must be lying, we can't wait to find out which one it is.

So that story about Blago Buddy John Wyman wearing a wire? Yep, Blago saw it, and yep, he's denying everything. Via a spokesperson, of course. Per the Trib: "The Governor has been working on the things that matter most to the people of Illinois - creating jobs, keeping people in their homes, fixing the budget, and making sure that everyone has access to affordable health care. He woke up this morning and saw the article just like everyone else did. The Governor has not done anything wrong, improper or illegal."

In a big step forward for federal investigators, former Blagojevich aide and influential lobbyist John Wyma cooperated with the feds and secretly recorded conversations with Governor Blagojevich to help the case against Blago. Wyma was also the chief of staff for Blago during his Congressional days, which makes the revelation even more eyebrow-raising. Earlier this fall, Wyma was named in a federal subpoena issued to Provena Health, a former Wyma client, regarding, "Provena's lobbying relationship with Wyma, the hospital's efforts to win state approval of a new heart program and a $25,000 donation the company's for-profit affiliate gave to Blagojevich's campaign fund."

State Police so mean.

Police have confiscated the van belonging to Mya Lyon’s father, Richard Lyons. Reportedly, he drove Mya to the hospital in the van after finding her stabbed in an alley near their home.

There are two noteworthy items in this recent report about a man who died Saturday from blunt head trauma after falling out of a police wagon. The first item of interest is the story in and of itself; the suspect was handcuffed and trying to escape from police custody, but the paddy wagon was stationary, and he was not struck by another vehicle. He simply … fell on his head, and died later from his injuries at Stroger Hospital. The death is under investigation.