Illinois governor demands chairman step down amid FBI probe
Illinois’ governor demanded Wednesday that a state senator step down as chairman of the Transportation Committee while he is under federal investigation for possible bribery and fraud involving state construction work.
J.B. Pritzker told reporters in Oak Lawn that Sen. Martin Sandoval, a fellow Democrat, should be removed if he doesn’t relinquish the post. Pritzker is concerned about the integrity of his $41.5 billion state construction program, in which Sandoval took a leading role last spring.
“We must assure the public that this work is on the up and up,” Pritzker said. “Corruption and self-dealing will not be tolerated.”
The FBI and others raided Sandoval’s offices and home Sept. 24. A redacted search warrant from the U.S. District Court in central Illinois, released by the Senate in response to an open-records request, shows officials sought evidence about possible violation of seven federal laws, including conspiracy to defraud, bribery or theft of federal funds, and mail and wire fraud.
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J.B. Pritzker told reporters in Oak Lawn that Sen. Martin Sandoval, a fellow Democrat, should be removed if he doesn’t relinquish the post. Pritzker is concerned about the integrity of his $41.5 billion state construction program, in which Sandoval took a leading role last spring.
“We must assure the public that this work is on the up and up,” Pritzker said. “Corruption and self-dealing will not be tolerated.”
The FBI and others raided Sandoval’s offices and home Sept. 24. A redacted search warrant from the U.S. District Court in central Illinois, released by the Senate in response to an open-records request, shows officials sought evidence about possible violation of seven federal laws, including conspiracy to defraud, bribery or theft of federal funds, and mail and wire fraud.
Click Here to read more.