Illinois Democrat indicted on 39 counts of embezzlement: Report

Make sure to let us know what you think... we now have comments turned ON below the article!

Illinois state Sen. Tom Cullerton (D) was indicted Friday on more than three dozen federal embezzlement charges stemming from his role as a union organizer. Cullerton, a former Teamsters union member who entered the state Senate in 2012, took the organizer job in 2013 but reportedly did not perform the duties of the job while he had it.

The Democrat was charged with one count of “conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefit plans” and 39 counts of “embezzlement from a labor union,” according to NBC Chicago. He is also facing one charge for “making false statements in a health care matter.”

Cullerton’s indictment comes three days after union boss John Coli, Sr. pleaded guilty to extortion and agreed to cooperate with federal officials. Coli is the one who reportedly gave Cullerton the union job.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Coli and Cullerton ignored multiple complaints about Cullerton not showing up to work or performing his duties, the indictment said.

Cullerton Denies Charges

Cullerton’s attorney, John Theis, said the charges against his client were unfounded and that Cullerton would fight the allegations.

“As an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army and highly respected public servant, Tom Cullerton is a person who is dedicated to his family, constituents, and all Illinoisans,” Theis said. “The action by the U.S. Department of Justice has nothing to do with Mr. Cullerton’s work in the Illinois State Senate but is the result of false claims by disgraced Teamsters boss John Coli in an apparent attempt to avoid penalties for his wrongdoing.”

The indictment says that Cullerton “fraudulently obtained and misappropriated for his own benefit” about $188,320 in salary, allowances, bonuses, and other benefits, as well as approximately $64,068 in health and welfare plan and pension plan contributions from Teamsters Joint Council 25, plus around $21,678 in reimbursed medical claims from Teamsters Local Union 734’s health and welfare fund.

In all, Cullerton is alleged to have embezzled nearly $275,000 from the union through the fraudulent job. Supervisors repeatedly requested that Cullerton perform duties related to the job, but he mostly refused, according to the indictment.

The indictment also says Cullerton conspired with individuals inside the union to misrepresent himself as an employee to qualify for medical benefits. He received medical reimbursements that added up to $20,000 since 2013.

The Fallout

Tom Cullerton is a distant cousin to Senate President John Cullerton, a Democrat who represents Chicago. John Cullerton’s spokesman, John Patterson, said Friday that the charges were “clearly part of an ongoing investigation” but did not comment on the allegations specifically.

It was not clear how the indictment would affect Tom Cullerton’s Senate position or whether he would seek to resign as he faced the charges. Tom Cullerton was reportedly out of town Friday and could not be reached for comment.

It has taken a long time, but it looks like at least some of the ongoing, rampant Chicago union corruption may finally be coming to an end.

419 Responses

  1. After exploring a number of the blog posts on your web page, I honestly appreciate your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site as well and tell me your opinion.

  2. I seriously love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own site and would like to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Appreciate it!

  3. After exploring a handful of the articles on your site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site too and tell me your opinion.

  4. Hi there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a great read. Thank you for sharing!

  5. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something relating to this.

  6. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this during my hunt for something relating to this.

  7. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I really thought you would have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.

  8. Can I just say what a relief to discover somebody who actually knows what they are talking about over the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should read this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular given that you surely possess the gift.

  9. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

  10. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  11. Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  12. After exploring a number of the blog articles on your web page, I honestly appreciate your technique of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site too and tell me what you think.

  13. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anybody else having the same RSS problems? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  14. When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!

  15. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal website now 😉

  16. You have made some good points there. I looked on the net for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  17. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  18. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable to join it. Is there anyone else having identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular