From the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
Consultant Indicted for Allegedly Corruptly Offering Money to Illinois State Senator
CHICAGO — A Chicago consultant has been indicted in federal court for allegedly corruptly offering money to an Illinois State Senator in connection with obtaining state approval for a suburban development project.
WILLIAM A. HELM, 56, of Chicago, is charged with one count of federal program bribery.
The indictment was returned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Arraignment is set for March 10, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; and Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Stetler and James P. Durkin.
According to the indictment, Helm and his consulting firm were retained by a construction company to assist in obtaining approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation for signalization and roadwork in connection with the company’s development project in East Dundee.
The company sought approval from IDOT in 2017, the indictment states.
From July 2018 to at least November 2018, Helm corruptly offered and agreed to pay money to influence and reward the senator in connection with IDOT approval of the project, the indictment states.
At the time, the senator was Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and was in a position to assist with obtaining such approvals, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.
The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charge in the indictment is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Why the Skillicorn pic?
How is that relevant?
My mistake. Because former Senator Sandoval of red light camera infamy was involved, I incorrectly thought this case was connected.
It is, but not related to the red light camera scandal.
The crime involves work in East Dundee.
Because Skillicorn recently got the a Bill passed to ban Red Light cameras! Good job Allen! We knew this was a scam!
Vote Skillicorn !
Every Ill. State Senator should be looked into who votes NO on the current elimination of Home rule towns Red Light Camera law, that has recently passed through the House.
Maybe Sandoval and this creep could have been found out earlier if there was more inquiry as to just why this Bill had been stalled for years….payoffs up and down the line is the reason.
Sing Sandoval sing, and this latest goof sing too–maybe you wont get a Blago 14 years, even though real money passed through your hands.
Minnows caught in the crime dragnet….. big fish break through the net.
Alabama are you Petey Austin or Franks himself?
Being a democrat official in IL should be an ‘a priori’ corruption offense. They should be made to prove their innocence.