Caspar, where are you?

Too bad Radar O'Reilly is just a fictional character and the Ghost in the Machine is just a pejorative metaphor for unexplained, questionable phenomena. Too bad that the Trib's Ghost in the Machine couldn't stop the Google Trends story as effectively as he appears to conjure political propaganda. See related post.
http://treecityleader.blogspot.com/2006_05_11_treecityleader_archive.html

*******

Who needs Jayson Blair?

""We don't have gentlemen's clubs or porn shops, so maybe that's why they go online,'' Elmhurst Mayor Thomas D. Marcucci said with a laugh.

More seriously, he added, "Sex isn't necessarily a bad thing.'' A lifelong Elmhurst resident, Marcucci, 54, said that when he attended the local Immaculate Conception Catholic school, "the nuns taught us that sex was a gift from God." Chicago Sun-Times, May 19, 2006

***

Concerned Citizen Does Homework, Takes Action

Contrasting with the obsessive and frequent self-aggrandizing comment-posts of late, a Concerned Citizen offered the following on last month's disastrous Google Trend/Elmhurst/Sex public relations gaffe.

". . . here is a copy of some of the press releases and email responses from the major news outlets. I am also miffed that the mayor or anyone else would even comment on this story without checking it first. Don't we have an IT department? I believe Andrew Herrmann got his information from a Blog and is now officially an idiot in my book.

Andrew Hermann at the Tribune appears to have gotten his tip from a blog written on May 11, then just did a cursory check of info - misreading it, and clearly doesn't have a clue about what he was researching anyway. Every news outlet in Chicago picked up his story and did not check it for themselves. (emphasis added) Here are the original sources that should have been checked:

The current lead story on Channel 5's website says that Elmhurst, IL is the #1 location for "sex" term searches on Google for 2005. Yet, when I checked this,

http://www.google.com/trends?q=sex&ctab=1&geo=US&date=2005 (click on tab that says Cities) it shows Elmhurst United States. (This image of the Goodle screen with Elmhurst, United States was even the lead image for a couple of news stories! )

According to mapquest, there are at least 10 Elmhursts in the US.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country =US&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&addto history=&cat=&address=&city=elmhurst&state=&zipcode=

I searched and the first reference to this topic is found on a blog (which posted on May 11 and had Elmhurst, IL ? " (Note the question mark). http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=1088)
Only on other blogs that referenced the first blog could I find Elmhurst, ILLINOIS.

Considering that Rikers Island Prison Complex is located in Elmhurst, NY and I have been able to confirm that there is internet access and an IP hub that is sophisticated enough at min. "8,000 conferences per year from the prison"

http://www.techworld.com/security/features/index.cfm?featureid=167
9&pagtype=samecatsamechan.
Elmhurst, NY is located in Queens and is also the home of LaGuardia Airport. In addition, Google's website has disclaimers about IP addresses just for the reading.

Also the fact that the Google site is in BETA is written all over it might need to be put into consideration. This research took me about 45 min. to confirm. I wonder where the source documentation for Elmhurst, Illinois is?

Thank you.


A response from someone on the ball at Channel 7:

I am doubling checking with the reps at Google to make sure they referred to the town in Illinois. However the prison you spoke of is in East Elmhurst, NY. I checked their webpage after speaking with you.

Concerned Citizen's response:

I found references to the prison in Elmhurst and East Elmhurst, NY. On the Google trends program, you can put in the search term of Elmhurst and NY shows up in the top results. But the bigger questions are about the data in general - for instance, I have a client in Hillside, IL who's site statistics using the top of the line Webtrends software on YNC.net say that the number one origin of hits comes from Virginia. - They don't do business in VA - BUT that is where the AOL hub is. So when
you dig into this origin data the picture changes.

The other question for Google is if what they are REPORTING on that site is stats from all Elmhurst's, or only one. Also, I didn't go so far as to check the traffic on the (East) Elmhurst NY hub, but if it is anywhere as big as that tech article claims it would effect the statistics.

I appreciate that you are at least checking, which is way more than the
others are doing."

***

Jenco for Elmhurst Public Relations Czar!

A voice of reason shines through.

"Lynne Jenco, a curator at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, said that about the raciest tidbit in the town's past is evidence of bootlegging during Prohibition. Settled by German immigrants, "it still has the reputation of a conservative place,'' said Jenco." Chicago Sun-Times, May 19, 2006

*******

Privacy assurances from the folks at the "never-delete-an-email" (Gmail) company, Google:

"Rest assured that no one is reviewing your personal data,'' the company says on its site, www.google.com/trends. Chicago Sun-Times, May 19, 2006

Are you "resting assured?" Do voyeurs ever change their stripes?"

Municipal pork recipe lacks taste, substance

Never underestimate the creativity of your municipal leaders to harness the power of their offices.

*****

The Radar O'Reilly in the Machine or if Gilbert Ryle studied Elmhurst politics

After Elmhurst 1st Ward Alderman Paul Fichtner won a seat on the Dupage County Board, Mayor Thomas Marcucci appointed Mark Tebbe to fill Fichtner's vacated city council seat. Four months later, in early 2005, Alderman Tebbe launched an election campaign to retain his council seat for the two remaining years of the term.

As an uber-successful internet industry mogul most likely accustomed to impossible deadlines and catering to demanding Wall Street types, it is no surprise that Tebbe was able to deliver nearly up-to-the-minute campaign materials in what might seem to mere mortal candidates to be an impossible time frame.

***

Consider the following excerpt from a March 31, 2005 Chicago Tribune article, Elmhurst and Glen Ellyn face mayoral races, written by Matt Baron and Bob Goldsborough, that appeared in a campaign mailer that arrived in many Elmhurst mailboxes on April 1.

"Tebbe conceived the arrangement. Marcucci has given it a ringing endorsement, calling it innovative. The City Council and school board unanimously approved moving ahead with the plan, and it appears headed for final approval."

Talk about impressive turnaround. In spite of all obstacles, the Tebbe campaign was able to get a graphic designer to incorporate the Chicago Tribune article quote into his campaign piece, get it printed, distributed through the US Mail and into first ward mailboxes in one day. Amazing. All that coordination, designing, printing in the course of what could even have been less than 24 hours. Ordinary flesh and blood types would be challenged to get a simple 8.5 by 11 resume out of Kinko's in the same time frame.

Really makes you wonder if the Tebbe campaign didn't get its Chicago Tribune earlier than the rest of us?

***

So you ask, what became of the $1.5 million dollar cash for District 205 land offer? The attention getting, eye-popping, vote-getting stunt? The one that Marcucci had given a "ringing endorsement" and was "headed for final approval?" The great idea that Tebbe "conceived" of?(Chicago Tribune, March 31, 2005).

Well, after the election the new school board didn't think it was a good idea. Even the alderman who had been big supporters of the offer prior to the election didn't think it was a good idea. After digging into the details, the neighbors close to the earmarked District 205 land who feared that their school land would become a parking lot for Roberto's restaurant didn't think it was such a good idea. In fact, in the cold light of day after the election there just wasn't anyone with any sense who though the deal was a good idea and after election the whole idea just went away.

*****

Size matters! especially if you can get your cronies' campaign signs on the front page of the newspaper for FREE! Way to stretch a campaign dollar!

Funny, how after elections, issues that seem like big problems just seem to disappear. Poof, gone! Just like former 1st Ward alderman Mark Tebbe's objection to oversize political campaign signs. It's been over a year, and you just never hear about the campaign sign problem at all anymore. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

"The larger than life campaign signs of Elmhurst Mayor Thomas Marcucci and his challenger, Paula Pezza, dwarf the more standard signs erected in recent weeks at the corner of Prospect and St Charles Rd. by the multitude of challengers in various township, park district, school and city races."
partial Elmhurst Press front page photo caption, April 1, 2005

Do you remember the April 1, 2005 Elmhurst Press cover page photo featuring a large clean shot of incumbent Marcucci's front lawn littered with campaign signs for Marcucci for Mayor, Jordan for School Board, Chris Healy for Park Board, Charity Pigoni for Treasurer and Patty Spencer for City Clerk?

Perhaps you are wondering, why on earth would the Elmhurst Press want to embarass the mayor like that, singling him out for derision over the campaign sign clutter on his lawn. How bold! How bold indeed! The mayor must be a very forgiving and understanding type of person since he never complained about the fact that the candidates he supported had their signs prominently printed on the front page of the newspaper just before the April 5, 2005 election.

The apparently flat-footed Doings Newspaper did not pick up on this blockbuster breaking news item at all. No story, no photo, no caption. Nothing. What did the Elmhurst Press know (or get) that the Doings did not?

*****

"State controlled television, radio, and newpapers glorify the actions of the regime's leader and incite their populations against those it deems to be enemies."

The Case For Democracy: the Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror by Natan Sharansky

The sovereign state of Dupage County

State assails DuPage over voting data, May 5, 2006, Chicago Tribune

"For decades, the DuPage County Election Commission has failed to seek permission from a state office before destroying key polling machine records detailing how residents voted, said an official from the Illinois secretary of state's office."
***
But the DuPage County Election Commission argues that it can destroy ballots and other election materials without getting permission from anyone."

***********

How to beat the high cost of political campaigns

Election Interference and how to bankroll your candidate

***********

FBI Focus on Election Crime

"First, rooting out corruption in our systems of government is the FBI's top criminal investigative priority."

***

"We're seeing all types of schemes—double voting, voter intimidation, ballot box stuffing, voting in someone else's name, using false corporate invoices to conceal the actual source of a campaign contribution. We've had great success investigating these crimes in the past, but the majority of those investigations were reactive in nature. Now, we're going to be more proactive."

***

"The FBI is ready, willing, and able to investigate these crimes. But we need the public's help. Call your local FBI office if you know about an election crime. If you don't want to give your name, leave an anonymous tip."

FBI Criminal Investigative exec James "Chip" Burrus, April 16, 2006

***

FBI Chicago
Room 905
E.M. Dirksen Federal Office Building
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1702
chicago.fbi.gov
(312) 431-1333

City of Elmhurst Buying Frenzy Should Raise Eyebrows

If Warner’s actions were so innocent, Levin asked, why did he bury every building he owned in trusts and straw owners so he couldn’t be tied to them when he leased them to the secretary of state?Daily Herald, March 6, 2006

A Tale of Two Cities

Sounds an awful lot like the Life Education scandal right here in Elmhurst. How much do you have to embezzle from a taxpayer funded charity in Dupage County before it is considered a criminal offense?

See today's Sun-Times story about Chicago's Genesis House (a women's shelter)

"Two top executives may have embezzled $100,000 or more from a Chicago charity that serves prostitutes trying to straighten out their lives, sources have told the Sun-Times.

Genesis House funds are suspected of being used to pay for vacations to the Bahamas, trips across the United States and car payments for a 2004 Cadillac, the sources said."

***

"Both executives are suspected of depositing Genesis House funds in their personal bank accounts, one source said."

Sun-Times, April 15, 2006

George Ryan's Elmhurst Connection

Based on news reports Director David Noffs embezzled approximately $700,000. Did Noffs and Yehudah spend all of the money or did they route it back to their friends? Link to related post, March 30, 2006

"Life Education Center leveraged its political ties to obtain more than $4 million in state grants since 1996, even though a 1995 state audit of earlier grants found "serious and significant" violations of state accounting rules. The governor's son, George Jr., once served as an assistant national director for the group and its insurance broker." 2 Accused in scheme at pork-rich charities


"The civil complaint, which will be filed in Cook County Circuit Court, also will name Yesse Ben Yehudah, a donor to Gov. George Ryan and a former charity board member who allegedly participated in a kickback scheme with Noffs." Jim Ryan to file civil suit against ex-charity officials

Charity Director Under Fire

What did they call him again?

Michael Tristano to flip?

***********

"Create and enhance media awareness campaigns to increase public support of anti-corruption initiatives and maintain confidence in government institutions." FBI Public Corruption Strategic Plan

***********

FBI Tips

Q: Last question: what should people do if they come across evidence of public corruption activities?
Dan: By all means, call us! If you don't want to give your name, leave an anonymous tip. FBI.com

On the train or on the tracks?

Which Elmhurst aldermanic candidates did state funded staff help and why?

Paying it Forward -- Illinois Style

Plea Deal: Did Michael Tristano "Pay it Forward?"

Ex-aide pleads guilty to diverting state money SunTimes, March 29, 2006

Former Daniels' Aide Pleads Guilty Of Corruption
Some Believe Daniels Could Face Legal Trouble CBS Chicago, Mike Flannery, March 29, 2006

Top GOP aide admits fraud Chicago Tribune, March 29, 2006

Flippers come in all shapes and sizes. They are not created equal Chicago Sun-Times, Sep 7, 2005 Carol Marin

***

Of course, the Willow Springs development scheme is nothing like Elmhurst's Block 300. For one thing, Elmhurst has an underpass just perfect for stormwater detention.

In or about 2000, in the Northern District of Illinois and elsewhere, defendant did knowingly conspire with Roger Stanley and others known and unknown to commit extortion affecting commerce, namely to obtain money from a Real Estate Partnership, with the partnership’s consent, having induced said consent under color of official right. (Tristano Plea Agreement, March 2006)

No word on preconstruction sales or Village of Willow Springs elected officials in on the deal.

***

There's nothing like a state grant to make everyone "whole" again and gain cooperation.

The Real Estate Partnership was involved in a multi-phase development project in the Village of Willow Springs that included the construction of business, residential and government buildings. The Village sought State grants in order to assist the funding of the Real Estate Partnership’s development projects in the Village. (Tristano Plea Agreement, March 2006)

The State awarded to the Village approximately $1.3 million in grants funding the real estate development in or about 2000. (Tristano Plea Agreement, March 2006)

Here again, the Willow Springs development is nothing like Elmhurst's Block 300 development where a $1.3 million incentive was granted not by the State of Illinois but by the City of Elmhurst with Mayor Marcucci casting the deciding city council vote to distribute TIF funds. There's just no comparison.

***

What better way to "pay it forward" and tighten up those puppet strings. Once elected, Candidate A would become part of the "pay it forward" movement in Illinois.

Roger Stanley, a partner of the Real Estate Partnership, agreed to provide, and did provide, consulting job paid by the Partnership to an individual campaigning as a Republican candidate for Illinois House seat in downstate Illinois (Candidate A).

The purpose of the consulting job was to generate necessary income for Candidate A while Candidate A was campaigning for office. In connection with the campaign assistance to Candidate A, defendant TRISTANO agreed to assist the Village’s efforts to obtain the State grants, and did in fact recommend, as Chief of Staff to the Minority Leader, that discretionary grant funds be awarded to the Village.

In Elmhurst no candidate was actually given a job exactly since these things can take time and look bad to outsiders who wouldn't understand. Sending business to your loyal friends/puppets, though, now that's another story and is much easier to do.

Is "pay it forward" alive and well in Elmhurst? Keep watching the news.

***

Sounds like a winning system, heh?

Defendant, along with other participants in the scheme, identified candidates for whom campaign work would be supplied by Minority Leader’s Office staff. Defendant supervised the campaign activity, which included preparation of campaign strategy documents, weekly reports summarizing campaign activity, management of campaigns, design of campaign literature, solicitation of voters, and analysis of polling data. (Tristano Plea Agreement, March 2006)

***

Tristano Plea Agreement (click on link to view. Thanks to Rich Miller's thecapitolfaxblog.com)

DuPage County Rule#1

Don't worry about getting caught just don't get investigated

Cook County officials said Saturday that two poll watchers at nursing homes in the south suburbs allegedly tried to steer elderly residents into voting for certain candidates and threatened an election judge who tried to stop them.

***

One of the poll watchers allegedly threatened an election judge after being told to stop passing out literature urging the residents to punch certain numbers on the ballot, [Cook County Clerk David]Orr said.
Poll watchers accused of steering voters, SunTimes, March 19, 2006

Link to related post:
Landslide at Lexington, March 18, 2006

Landslide at Lexington?

Where have we heard this story before?

Betty Hancock Perry explained she was "trying to help voters" at the Lydia Healthcare Center in Robbins, election officials said.

But those who observed her say she was helping them cast votes for her boss and discouraging votes for challenger Forrest Claypool.

She gained access, they say, by assuring them she was an election judge hired by Cook County. Pollwatcher accused of coaching voters Sun-Times, March 18, 2006

A'course it 'pears that we take a differ'nt view a such things in DuPage County where you really can never have enough help. Citified folk might view the DuPage brand of help with suspicion but they just wouldn't understand and make trouble. That's why it's probably best that these allegations never journeyed up the law enforcement chain of command, 'cuz, after all, a feller could end up in some serious hurt over all that.

Link to related posts
Got Free Elections, May 5, 2005

Voter Fraud Watch -- Do you have a story too?, April 3, 2005

Character Except When It Counts, April 7, 2005

Do you get what you pay for?

During the spring 2005 campaign season, Elmhurst Press Word on the Street columnist, Tim Bryers wrote

"On Feb 25 Marcucci transferred $6,000 out of his campaign fund and gave it to People To Elect Chris Healy, who is running for Elmhurst Park Board Commissioner."

"Why would the mayor send money to a Park Board candidate? Because the city has a vested interest in what happens with Wilder Park and the future renovation of Wilder Mansion."

Interesting theory, Mr. Bryers, except that the City of Elmhurst didn't donate anything (that we know of) to the candidate. However, Mayor Marcucci routed a total of $9,000 to Healy's campaign. Could it be that it is Marcucci who has "the vested interest?"

Oak Brook resident and Historic Commission Chairman, Frank Catalano also ponied up for the Healy campaign, though Bryers mentioned no vested interest on his part back in spring of 2005. Yet, now that Catalano is campaigning to move the Elmhurst Historical Museum (EHM) into Wilder Park, his zeal for the Healy campaign stands in stark relief. TCL has received reports alleging that Catalano has stated that the Elmhurst park board will vote to move the EHM to the old library site. Can he count on his young protege to do the right thing? Can you?

***********

How much do you think a park board seat is worth? Until April, 2005, not a single candidate in the history of Elmhurst park board campaigns was required to file campaign finance reports because their campaign spending was too low to report (under $3,000). Yet last year Chris Healy's election campaign spent a whopping $18,156.19.

Is it worth noting that Elmhurst park commissioners serve without pay?

*****

The following information is based on the People to Elect Chris Healy, D-2 Semi-Annual Report 1-1-2005 to 6/30/2005 (Illinois Election Commission Campaign Disclosure filed October 3, 2005 at 9:05 a.m.)


Where the Money Came From

$9,000.00	Committee to Elect Thomas D Marcucci (includes $3,000 in-kind contribution)
$2,695.47	Friends of Lee Daniels (in-kind Contribution)
$1,500.00	Frank Catalano (includes $1,000 loan - not repaid)
$2,877.29	Chris Healy (includes $2,377 loan - not repaid)
$1,259.00	Mike Perrino,Salesman, Edward Don & Co. (includes $1000 loan - not repaid )
$250.00	Paul Brown
$775.00	not itemized - individual contributions and in-kind
$18,356.76	Total Individual/InKindContributions, Transfers and Loans

***********

Where the Money Went

$6,019.44	Mailing
$3,000.00	Consulting - Winning Systems (Donated by Comm to Elect Thomas D Marcucci
$2,695.47	Telemarketing (Donated by Friends of Lee Daniels)
$1,680.00	Signs
$1,409.66	Printing
$634.49	Fundraiser Food
$542.20	Postage
$500.00	Spring Rd. St.Pat's Parade
$485.05	Promotional Items
$449.00	Consulting - Winning Systems
$481.88	not itemized (includes $50 in-kind spending)
$259.00	Postage (Donated by Mike Perrino, Salesman-Edward Don & Co.)
$18,156.19	Total Reported Campaign Purchases
182.57	loan payment to Chris Healy
$18.00	unspent - remaining balance
$18,356.76	Total Purchases/LoanPayments and Ending Balance

Who Is Still Owed Money

$1,000.00	Frank Catalano
$1,000.00	Mike Perrino
$2,144.72	Chris Healy
$4,144.72	Debts & Obligations - Grand Total

***********
And now a few excerpts from the George Ryan Trial Transcripts

Closing Arguments

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) Docket No. 02 CR 506

Plaintiff, )
5 )
vs. )
6 )
LAWRENCE E. WARNER and )
7 GEORGE H. RYAN, SR., ) Chicago, Illinois
) March 6, 2006
8 Defendants. ) 9:37 a.m.

9
VOLUME 90
10 TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS - Trial
BEFORE THE HONORABLE REBECCA R. PALLMEYER, and a jury

(emphasis added)

During the testimony of many witnesses in the case, like Mr. Fawell, the defense asked them whether they had ever seen Mr. Ryan take any money to influence any decision or action. And again and again people said no. Well, George Ryan may have been greedy, but he was not stupid. He did not make announcements or press releases when Warner, Swanson, or Klein gave him or his family something in order to influence his decision-making. The loans, the vacations, the other benefits did not come in packages with bright red lettering that said, "This is to influence you."

Most importantly, keep in mind that this is not a case in which a public official had a specific price for each official act that he did, like a menu in a restaurant where you pick an item and it has a particular price. The type of corruption here -- that type of corruption where you give me this, I will give you that, is often referred to as a quid pro quo.

The corruption here was more like a meal plan in which you don't pay for each item on the menu. Rather, there is a cost that you pay, an ongoing cost, and you get your meals.

***

Now, just a few words about the concept of conspiracy. A conspiracy is nothing more than an agreement to commit criminal acts. It need not be in writing or any sort of formal agreement. A racketeering conspiracy is, in essence, an agreement to commit certain kinds of crimes that are connected in a pattern. The different kinds of crimes that Defendants Ryan and Warner conspired to commit, according to the indictment, included mail fraud, extortion, bribery, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.

The racketeering conspiracy that is the centerpiece of this case had two purposes: performing official governmental acts for the personal and financial benefit of Ryan, Ryan's family members, Citizens for Ryan, and certain of Ryan's associates, including Warner and Swanson; and second, promoting, concealing, and otherwise protecting the purposes of the racketeering enterprise from public exposure and possible criminal prosecution.

***********

The abuse of buying and selling votes crept in and money began to play an important part in determining elections. Later on, this process of corruption spread to the law courts. And then to the army, and finally the Republic was subjected to the rule of emperors.
Plutarch
Historian of the Roman Republic