In most communities, 30-year-old Anthony LeFlore would be considered a hero. As an undercover informant in a federal corruption investigation in the village of Alorton, Illinois, LeFlore played a key role in the convictions of former mayor Randy McCallum, former police chief Michael Baxton and former Alorton street superintendent Ronnie Cummings.
United States Attorney Steven Wigginton describes LeFlore as “a hero” for his undercover role in the investigation and says that if LeFlore were to be harmed, there would be immediate consequences.
All of this was detailed in “The Informant,” an outstanding documentary by KMOV-TV reporter Craig Cheatham, which recently aired and can be found on the station’s website.
In the documentary, a passersby could be seen flipping off and yelling obscenities and threats as well as posting derisive comments on Facebook regarding LeFlore.
The question, then, becomes what type of citizens wouldn’t appreciate the exposure and removal of corrupt officials and who wouldn’t applaud an Anthony LeFlore for having the courage to assist in that effort?
Too often citizens whisper complaints about corruption among elected officials, especially in poor black communities, yet do nothing to eradicate it. LeFlore stepped up and, therefore, should be applauded.
The aversion to so-called “snitching” in the African-American community is often the primary barrier to eliminating corruption, giving crooks carte blanche to rape and pillage their communities ad nauseum.
Wigginton claims that LeFlore assisted the feds of his own volition. LeFlore says that he did it “to inspire others” to stand up and speak out against corruption in their community.
Whether others are inspired by LeFlore’s example remains to be seen. One can only hope.
However, one man – working in concert with authorities – was able to dispatch a crooked mayor (for attempting to distribute crack cocaine, theft and smuggling contraband), a rogue police chief (for stealing evidence and lying to federal investigators) and a shady street superintendent (for being a felon in possession of firearm ammunition and lying to feds).
What would the communities of Alorton, East St. Louis, Brooklyn and Washington Park look like if more citizens had the type of courage and conviction of an Anthony LeFlore?
Unfortunately, due to work-related injuries, LeFlore is incapable of working at this time, but it is my fervent hope that Mr. Wigginton (and others) will use their resources and influence to assist Mr. LeFlore in pursuing any educational and employment goals that he may have.
And I would hope that the residents of Alorton would give Mr. LeFlore a pat on the back, a hug, a handshake or a sincere “thank you” when they encounter him.
It’s the least that can be done for such a courageous individual who literally risked his life to assist them in rooting out political corruption in Alorton.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
