City Official Gets Busted

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Sep 24, 2006 7:49PM

For those of you who like actual proof of dirty underhanded dealings of Chicago city officials instead of spot-on conjecture, your prayers have been answered. On Saturday an employee of the Planning and Development Department was charged with soliciting a $300 bribe from a South Side citizen wanting to buy a city-owned parcel of land.

The victim contacted Tony Carter, 47, about the possibility of buying a lot at 2426 E. 57th St. Carter initially quoted a price of $140,000 but warned it could go higher. Friday, Carter called the victim saying the price had gone up to $240,000 but could be knocked back down to its initial quote if $300 would happen to come his way, if you get our drift, nudge nudge wink wink. A friend of the victim notified the inspector general, who set up a bogus meeting involving an undercover cop, where Carter gladly pocketed the money. For accepting the $300, Carter will be fired from his $63,000-a-year job that he's had since 1980, as well as face bribery and official misconduct charges. Said PDD spokeswoman Connie Buscemi, "Unfortunately, he chose to conduct himself in a manner that is not in accordance with city ethics or policy, and we are moving to terminate him." Please, people, try to keep your snickering to a reasonable level.

We're well aware that bribery and public officials go like white and rice. That's why this reminded us of another story from a while ago. What is it with those crazy building departments?

Thanks Shannon!