SHAREWhere do you begin with Ed Genson? With the notorious defense attorney’s long list of famous clients? From singer R. Kelly to movie star Shia LaBeouf, from newspaper mogul Conrad Black to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich?Do you start there?Or with the Mafia hit men — alleged Mafia hit men, since many walked free, with Mr. Genson’s help — and mobbed up politicians? If Mr. Genson was famous for one thing, it was as the wily and effective attorney of the damned: “Devil’s advocate” is the headline Chicago magazine put on his profile in 2005. “I have no aversion to organized crime,” Mr. Genson...…SHAREWhere do you begin with Ed Genson? With the notorious defense attorney’s long list of famous clients? From singer R. Kelly to movie star Shia LaBeouf, from newspaper mogul Conrad Black to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich?Do you start there?Or with the Mafia hit men — alleged Mafia hit men, since many walked free, with Mr. Genson’s help — and mobbed up politicians? If Mr. Genson was famous for one thing, it was as the wily and effective attorney of the damned: “Devil’s advocate” is the headline Chicago magazine put on his profile in 2005. “I have no aversion to organized crime,” Mr. Genson...WW…

SHAREFederal prosecutors leveled a rarely filed criminal charge Tuesday against a Chicago man who now stands accused of using Facebook to encourage people to loot and riot downtown and on the Near North Side last August.James Massey, 22, is charged with using a facility of interstate commerce to incite a riot, according to a 19-page criminal complaint. It alleges he sent online messages late on Aug. 9 such as “WE LIE TOGETHER WE DIE TOGETHER” and “Lets get ready to steal b----.”Two people were shot and 13 police officers were injured that led to standoffs with police and left heaps of...…SHAREFederal prosecutors leveled a rarely filed criminal charge Tuesday against a Chicago man who now stands accused of using Facebook to encourage people to loot and riot downtown and on the Near North Side last August.James Massey, 22, is charged with using a facility of interstate commerce to incite a riot, according to a 19-page criminal complaint. It alleges he sent online messages late on Aug. 9 such as “WE LIE TOGETHER WE DIE TOGETHER” and “Lets get ready to steal b----.”Two people were shot and 13 police officers were injured that led to standoffs with police and left heaps of...WW…

SHAREAfter rioters breached the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, a photo surfaced on social media of a man and a woman wearing “Trump 2020” attire in what appeared to be the Capitol Rotunda, along with the words “Quincy made it inside,” the feds say.Someone in a Facebook chat replied, “hope they lock yours [sic] a— up,” records show. And someone with the username “Christna Gerding” replied, “well since they let us inside; opened the door for us I think I’ll be just fine.”Now Christina and Jason Gerding of Quincy have become the latest Illinois residents arrested in connection with the...…SHAREAfter rioters breached the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, a photo surfaced on social media of a man and a woman wearing “Trump 2020” attire in what appeared to be the Capitol Rotunda, along with the words “Quincy made it inside,” the feds say.Someone in a Facebook chat replied, “hope they lock yours [sic] a— up,” records show. And someone with the username “Christna Gerding” replied, “well since they let us inside; opened the door for us I think I’ll be just fine.”Now Christina and Jason Gerding of Quincy have become the latest Illinois residents arrested in connection with the...WW…

SHAREA Cook County prosecutor argued decades ago that David Walsh should be “securely locked up forever.”Walsh had murdered a Chicago police officer in the 1960s only to be granted parole in 1983, the prosecutor wrote. Walsh had since been arrested with an Uzi submachine gun, “disguises of all sorts,” restraints, ski masks and bulletproof vests, he said. Then, in April 1987, he wrote that Walsh “celebrated his 10th day out of prison by walking into a restaurant on 63rd Street and sticking the place up using a replica of an antique gun.”“Each time this thug was released, his acts became more...…SHAREA Cook County prosecutor argued decades ago that David Walsh should be “securely locked up forever.”Walsh had murdered a Chicago police officer in the 1960s only to be granted parole in 1983, the prosecutor wrote. Walsh had since been arrested with an Uzi submachine gun, “disguises of all sorts,” restraints, ski masks and bulletproof vests, he said. Then, in April 1987, he wrote that Walsh “celebrated his 10th day out of prison by walking into a restaurant on 63rd Street and sticking the place up using a replica of an antique gun.”“Each time this thug was released, his acts became more...WW…

SHARELouis Capriotti allegedly called for months, screaming as he left voicemails for members of Congress filled with profanity, racism and vague threats.Then, in late December, the feds say one call from the Chicago Heights man amounted to a direct threat on next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. They say Capriotti claimed that, if people “think that Joe Biden is going to put his hand on the Bible and walk into that f---ing White House on Jan. 20th, they’re sadly f---ing mistaken.”“We will surround the motherf---ing White House and we will kill any motherf---ing Democrat...…SHARELouis Capriotti allegedly called for months, screaming as he left voicemails for members of Congress filled with profanity, racism and vague threats.Then, in late December, the feds say one call from the Chicago Heights man amounted to a direct threat on next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. They say Capriotti claimed that, if people “think that Joe Biden is going to put his hand on the Bible and walk into that f---ing White House on Jan. 20th, they’re sadly f---ing mistaken.”“We will surround the motherf---ing White House and we will kill any motherf---ing Democrat...WW…

SHARECity Hall lawyers made the rare move of apologetically withdrawing a request for sanctions against a lawyer in federal court Friday, following the public release of video of a botched police raid that roiled the city this week.Later Friday outside Chicago police headquarters, faith leaders called for the dismantling of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability for its investigation into the botched raid. They also demanded that Mayor Lori Lightfoot step in and take action against the officers who led the raid and those who signed off on it.Bishop Larry Trotter said he and other...…SHARECity Hall lawyers made the rare move of apologetically withdrawing a request for sanctions against a lawyer in federal court Friday, following the public release of video of a botched police raid that roiled the city this week.Later Friday outside Chicago police headquarters, faith leaders called for the dismantling of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability for its investigation into the botched raid. They also demanded that Mayor Lori Lightfoot step in and take action against the officers who led the raid and those who signed off on it.Bishop Larry Trotter said he and other...WW…

SHAREFormer state Sen. Martin Sandoval, who became a crucial figure in a series of ongoing public corruption investigations early this year when he admitted he’d taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, has died from COVID-19, according to his defense attorney.The Senate’s former transportation chair also agreed in January to “cooperate in any matter in which he is called upon” . Late last month, the feds told a judge Sandoval had “provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last at least several more months.”Now, legal experts say Sandoval’s death has the potential to...…SHAREFormer state Sen. Martin Sandoval, who became a crucial figure in a series of ongoing public corruption investigations early this year when he admitted he’d taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, has died from COVID-19, according to his defense attorney.The Senate’s former transportation chair also agreed in January to “cooperate in any matter in which he is called upon” . Late last month, the feds told a judge Sandoval had “provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last at least several more months.”Now, legal experts say Sandoval’s death has the potential to...WW…

Filed under:Named in the indictment are Madigan friend Michael McClain, ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore as well as former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and Jay Doherty, the ex-president of the City Club.Federal prosecutors marched deeper into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle Wednesday, charging longtime confidant Michael McClain and ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore in a bribery scheme designed to curry favor with the powerful Southwest Side Democrat.Also named in the 50-page indictment are ex-top ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and Jay Doherty, the former president of the City Club, who was...…Filed under:Named in the indictment are Madigan friend Michael McClain, ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore as well as former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and Jay Doherty, the ex-president of the City Club.Federal prosecutors marched deeper into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle Wednesday, charging longtime confidant Michael McClain and ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore in a bribery scheme designed to curry favor with the powerful Southwest Side Democrat.Also named in the 50-page indictment are ex-top ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and Jay Doherty, the former president of the City Club, who was...WW…

SHAREFederal prosecutors have charged a 24-year-old man with using an explosive to damage a suburban restaurant amid a wave of vandalism and looting on June 1.Diego Vargas is charged in a one-page indictment with maliciously attempting to damage and destroy a building with an explosive. His alleged target was the Egg Harbor Cafe in Naperville, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.Vargas’ indictment was unsealed Thursday, prosecutors said.Naperville was among the many suburban communities hit by vandalism and looting in the unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd in...…SHAREFederal prosecutors have charged a 24-year-old man with using an explosive to damage a suburban restaurant amid a wave of vandalism and looting on June 1.Diego Vargas is charged in a one-page indictment with maliciously attempting to damage and destroy a building with an explosive. His alleged target was the Egg Harbor Cafe in Naperville, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.Vargas’ indictment was unsealed Thursday, prosecutors said.Naperville was among the many suburban communities hit by vandalism and looting in the unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd in...WW…

SHAREEarly last year, when federal investigations into public corruption dominated the headlines, a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan gave a little advice to a ComEd vice president, according to an explosive court document filed Friday.Lobbyist Mike McClain allegedly told the utility executive that, “I would say to you don’t put anything in writing.”“All it can do is hurt ya,” he added.The two then discussed a “favor” for Madigan that federal prosecutors now say was part of a brazen, years-long Chicago-style bribery scheme that sent $1.3 million to Madigan’s associates for...…SHAREEarly last year, when federal investigations into public corruption dominated the headlines, a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan gave a little advice to a ComEd vice president, according to an explosive court document filed Friday.Lobbyist Mike McClain allegedly told the utility executive that, “I would say to you don’t put anything in writing.”“All it can do is hurt ya,” he added.The two then discussed a “favor” for Madigan that federal prosecutors now say was part of a brazen, years-long Chicago-style bribery scheme that sent $1.3 million to Madigan’s associates for...WW…