Back in 2012 Stephen Wigginton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, made it abundantly clear when he stated, “I will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of those who pervert the administration of justice by using public office for their own personal gain. Corrupt politicians and corrupt cops should be on notice – we will come for you!”
Apparently, Mr. Wigginton is a man of his word.
Since that time, Randy McCallum, former mayor for the Village of Alorton, IL was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison for attempted possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance (crack cocaine), theft and conversion of government property and attempting to smuggle contraband into a correctional facility.
Most recently, former St. Clair County Judge Michael Cook was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison (beginning May 28) for being a drug (heroin) user in possession of a firearm and received an enhanced sentence for “disrupting the government,” according to U.S. District Judge Joe Billy McDade. He cited 40 defendants who appeared in Cook’s court who were later tried for conviction reversals and 250 cases which had to be reassigned to another judge.
Former Washington Park, IL trustee Darron Suggs was, surprisingly, only sentenced to five years’ probation and a 26-year repayment schedule for the $64, 867 he stole from Medicaid, which was intended for the care of Suggs’ mother and another person.
U.S. District Judge David Herndon , relaxed Suggs’ sentencing, apparently overwhelmed by letters of support, an overflowing courtroom full of supporters, Suggs’ educational background (master’s degree in criminal justice) and lack of a prior history.
And on May 9, former East St. Louis police detective Orlando Ward will be sentenced for his part in a drug trafficking operation which would have brought approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from Los Angeles to ESL, with Ward receiving $5,000 per month to provide information, assistance and protection for the operation.
At press time, Ward is facing a statutory minimum of 10 years to life. However, a judge has ordered an examination into whether Ward is eligible for a shorter sentence.
Whatever the outcome, no one can say that Wigginton’s initiatives have not made an impact and sent a powerful message that there is zero tolerance for corruption and those who have the public’s trust should pay an even greater price for violating their elected and appointed responsibilities.
The fact that these politicians continue to test Wigginton’s resolve, despite his track record for prosecuting and convicting corrupt officials, is the only thing that continues to amaze me.
Perhaps it’s because, in the words of my late grandmother, that some folks (including politicians) just “don’t believe that fat meat is greasy.”
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
