-Caveat Lector- Mayor Arrested in Corruption Case CHICAGO (AP) -- A mayor and two former police officers were among those arrested today in a corruption case alleging they charged a ``street tax'' to bars, restaurants and adult bookstores. Federal officials called it the most significant case in years involving Chicago-area organized crime. ``It targets the corruption of police and public officials who the mob allegedly bribed,'' U.S. Attorney Scott Lassar said. Indicted were Anthony T. Centracchio, an alleged mob boss; Stone Park Mayor Robert D. Natale; former Stone Park police Lt. Thomas R. Tucker and former Franklin Park officer Robert Urbinati. The men have pleaded not guilty. A Chicago crime commission has said Centracchio is the head of the mob on the city's West Side and in DuPage County. The Thursday federal indictment accuses the four of a conspiracy to put illegal gambling devices such as video poker in numerous west suburban bars, restaurants and fraternal clubs. The indictment also says the participants imposed a ``street tax'' -- or charge for protection on establishments as far north as Wisconsin. Chicago Treasurer Found Guilty By MIKE ROBINSON CHICAGO (AP) -- The city's treasurer was convicted today of shaking down a brokerage firm for campaign donations and forcing her employees to do the same. A federal jury found Miriam Santos guilty of attempted extortion for telling Fuji Securities to donate $10,000, saying on a taped conversation that it was ``time to belly up'' and ``this is no choice.'' However, she was acquitted of four other attempted extortion counts for allegedly trying to shake down other companies. Santos' attorney said she would appeal. Santos, 43, faces a maximum 33 months in prison at sentencing in July. Under Illinois State Law, any elected official found guilty of a felony is removed from office. The position is to be filled by an appointee of the mayor. Federal prosecutors accused Santos, a Democrat, of pressuring seven brokers who oversee the investment of $2.5 billion in city funds to donate thousands of dollars to her failed attorney general campaign last year. The brokers said she threatened to stop doing business with them unless they paid up, and ordered them cut off when none donated. Jurors found her guilty of attempted extortion of only Fuji Securities, which had a tape recording of an angry conversation with Santos. Santos and her attorneys said her words on the tape may have had a rough edge, but were not a threat. Santos was also convicted of illegally directing employees to do campaign work, such as making phone calls to raise money for the campaign. Santos said she told workers it was illegal to do campaign work on city time but that a few overzealous volunteers stepped over the line. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
