Looks like a couple more guys will be headed off to prison to celebrate the New Year as the result of illegal activities in East Boogie.
Stephen L. Carraway, 50, of Cahokia, IL pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to defraud East St. Louis’ Demolition Program and to money laundering, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton.
Carraway’s company, Steve’s Hauling, provided demolition services to the city.
Authorities stated that, as a part of his plea agreement, Carraway admitted that, in 2010, he was told to give a kickback to an ESL official in exchange for being told how much to bid in order to be awarded an emergency demolition contract.
Carraway also admitted to submitting a falsified certificate of insurance in his bid proposal.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS in conjunction with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Carraway faces up to 15 years in prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of up to $500,000 at his upcoming sentencing on March 20, 2013.
And brother Steve isn’t the only one sweating bullets about now. The “ESL official” who abused his position in exchange for a kickback will face some stiff time as well.
Recall that, only a few weeks ago, I wrote that ESL’s Financial Advisory Authority wisely rejected a city attempt to award a $10,000 contract to CJE Construction Services.
The superintendent of that contract would have been none other than George “Little Jack” Edwards, ESL’s former chief of demolition (and a convicted felon) who served time for attempting to extort $150,000 from former Cardinal shortstop Ronnie Belliard.
Interesting coincidence, huh?
But only time will tell who the actual culprit was in facilitating the bid-rigging and kickback scheme for the city of ESL. However, I very seriously doubt that I’ll be surprised at who heads to prison (or back to prison, as the case may be) with Mr. Carraway.
If only the crooked ESL officials had the same tenacity for advancing and enhancing the quality of life of ESL’s citizens as they do for lining their pockets and going to prison, then ESL would be the garden district of the Midwest. Unfortunately that is not the case.
My only advice to Mr. Carraway and his partner in crime (you know who you are) is to enjoy the holiday season, because it will probably be your last celebration for quite a few years.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com Twitter@JamesTIngram
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