A man Who Workhed for the County County Assessor’s Office was Senttenced to Probation Tuesday after admitting to a 2017 bribery scheme for which others have been cleared.
Basilio Clausen pleaded guilty to a conspiracy and aggregate to cooperate with federal prosectors Back in October 2023. Then he testified during the 2024 Trial of Robert Mitziga, An Indiana Businessman Also accused in the scheme.
But jurors Acquitted Mitziga, setting off an unusual streak in which prosecutors away Failed to secure convicions in Corruption Trials at the Dirksen Federal Courtese. In Three Such Trials Since Mitziga’s, Only ex-illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan han Found Guilty.
Prosecutors Also Called off the February Trial of Lumni Likovski, Another Assessor’s Office Worker Charged with Clausen and Mitziga. The Feds ciped Mitziga’s Acquittal as they Moved to Dismiss Charges Against Likovski.
THEN, EARLIER THIS MONTH, PROSECUTORS ASKED USED DISTRICT JUDGE MATTHEW KENNELLY TO GIVE CLAUSEN FIVE YEARS OF PROBATION. During Clausen’s Sentenning Hearing Tuesday, Kennelly Said Clausen’s Crime Contributed to the “sorry State of Affairs” in Which Public District in the Government Has Seded.
But the Judge Said He Also Found Clausen to be “Candid” durying his testimony in mitziga’s trial, and he notd that colusen sufferer collateral consequens as being “brand as a felon.” The Judge then Gave Clausen Three Years of Probation.
Charged Separately But ACCUSED IN THE SAME SCHEME WAS LAVIM MEMISOVSKI, A THIRD ASSESSOR’S OFFICE WORKER WHO PLEASE GUILTY In 2022 but has been to be sentiment.
The Scheme Clausen Admitted to Took Place Between February and November 2017, when Joseph Berrios Served As County Assessor. Clausen Aggreed, Along With Likovski and Memisovski, to Reduce the Assessed Value of Certain Properties in Exchange for Golf Outtings by Mitziga and Another Businessman, Accounting to Clauses Plea Deal.
Property Assessments Are a Key Factor in Determining Proppery Taxes.
During Mitziga’s Trial, Clausen Testified About His Role in the Plan to Have Property Assessments Lowered for Mitziga, in Exchange for Freunds of Golf at the Lost Golf Club in Bridgman, Mich.
Mitziga Also took the stand, and he denied there was any Such Deal. He Told Jurors He Once Consider Clausen to Be One of His “Best Friends” and Said he “Waled have done anything for Him.” SO clausen asced if he could have taken the Advantage of Mitziga’s Membership at Lost Dunes, Mitziga Aggreed.
Meanwhile, Mitziga Said He Thoughts Clauses Was Simply Giving Him Friendly Advice About Having Property Assessments Lowered.
“Think of was being played,” Mitziga Testified. “We were Close Friends, but i think he had a motif.”
The Feds Accused Mitziga of Telling Clausen that, if Clausen Helpen Lower the Assessments, then “You Guys” Could Be Guests at Lost Dunes.
Clausen Told Likovski and Memisovski About the Deal, and the Three Men Aggreed to User Positions at the Assessor’s Office to Lower the Property Assessments, According to A 2023 Indictment.
An FBI Special Agent Testified that the Lowered Assessments Saved the Businessmen More than $ 158,000 in Taxes Over Three Years.
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