May 31, 2019

City of Chicago Alderman Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Bribery Charges in Connection with

City of Chicago Alderman Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Bribery Charges in Connection with Alleged Corruption Schemes


CHICAGO — A federal grand jury today indicted City of Chicago Alderman EDWARD M. BURKE on racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly abusing his position to solicit and extort private legal work and other benefits from companies and individuals with business before the city.

The 19-count indictment accuses Burke of corruptly soliciting work for his private law firm from companies involved in redevelopment projects at the Old Main Post Office in downtown Chicago and a fast food restaurant in Burke’s ward on the Southwest Side. It also alleges that he corruptly attempted to assist a business owner with a development on the Northwest Side shortly after the business owner told Burke that he would engage Burke’s law firm. The firm, Klafter & Burke, specialized in seeking property tax reductions for corporate clients.

The charges also allege that Burke threatened to oppose a Chicago museum’s admission fee increase because the museum failed to respond to Burke’s inquiry about an internship at the museum for a child of Burke’s friend.

The indictment was returned today in U.S. District Court in Chicago. It charges Burke, 75, of Chicago, with one count of racketeering, two counts of federal program bribery, two counts of attempted extortion, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, and eight counts of using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity.

Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/city-chicago-alderman-indicted-federal-racketeering-and-bribery-charges-connection

May 31, 2019

Jimmy Kimmel Live: Trump Admits Russia Helped Elect Him

May 31, 2019

O'Rourke: Call to impeach Trump isn't a rushed decision

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke tells Chris Cuomo he does not feel that he is rushing his call to impeach President Donald Trump based on statements made by special counsel Robert Mueller.
Source: CNN

Video at link:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/05/31/beto-orourke-trump-impeachment-sot-cpt-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/this-week-in-politics/

May 31, 2019

O'Rourke: Call to impeach Trump isn't a rushed decision

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke tells Chris Cuomo he does not feel that he is rushing his call to impeach President Donald Trump based on statements made by special counsel Robert Mueller.
Source: CNN

Video at link:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/05/31/beto-orourke-trump-impeachment-sot-cpt-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/this-week-in-politics/

May 31, 2019

Jimmy Kimmel Live: Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Mueller Report & Impeaching Donald Trump

May 31, 2019

Tlaib: 'Mueller report is an impeachment referral'

Maybe Rashida Tlaib will get to "impeach the motherfucker," after all.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Wednesday press conference reignited calls for impeachment after he broke his silence to say that he did not exonerate Trump, telling the nation in a short statement, “If we had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said that."

A few hours later in an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews, Tlaib called for Congress to move forward with impeachment proceedings.

"From the beginning, the Mueller report is an impeachment referral to Congress," she said. "It's clear he is asking the United States' Congress to take up their responsibility to hold impeach inquiry."

Read more: https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/05/30/tlaib-mueller-report-is-an-impeachment-referral?

May 31, 2019

Ex-MSU dean William Strampel abused power, mistreated women for decades, prosecutor says

LANSING — William Strampel, the former dean of the Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, used his power to demean, degrade, manipulate and control women, prosecutors said in court on Thursday.

And he’d been doing it for more than three decades, they said.

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark said Thursday morning during opening arguments in Strampel's jury trial.

The former dean, who was was one of convicted sex offender Larry Nassar's former bosses, is charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors.

Hagaman-Clark said witnesses will detail how, from his time in the military to his time as an MSU dean, Strampel made sexual comments and acted inappropriately toward women over whom he had control.

Read more: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2019/05/30/william-strampel-michigan-state-larry-nassar-sexual-assault-scandal/1276300001/

May 31, 2019

Warren Mayor Hit For City Awarding Contracts To Low Bidders. Really.

Whether you see this issue as makes-sense or TWFW (too Warren for words) probably depends on . . . well, we're not sure. We report, you decide.

Weeds and untended grass are growing high in Warren, and Mayor Jim Fouts (R) recently took to Facebook to explain why getting them under control isn't as simple as whistling up a crew and telling them to get to it. A simple post. Read like this:

It didn't take long for Fouts' constituents to ask an obvious question: Why not hire Michigan residents? Glad you asked, the mayor said. He replied:



Read more: http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/22465/warren_mayor_hit_for_city_awarding_contracts_to_low_bidders_really

May 31, 2019

Whitmer urges business to back gas tax, Michigan Republicans still balking

MACKINAC ISLAND — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stood before a sea of sport coats and seersucker Thursday afternoon, pleading with Michigan’s most influential business leaders to lean on the Legislature to pass a whopping 45-cent gas tax increase for roads.

Hike the gas tax to generate more than $2 billion in revenue, she said, and fixes to many of Michigan’s other problems — underperforming schools, a skilled worker shortage and, of course, crumbling roads and bridges — will fall into place.

“I’m asking that you jump in … Seek out a legislator. No matter what side of the aisle they’re on, have the conversation,” she said. “Tell them what failing infrastructure means to you and your business. ... That’s my challenge to you today. Be a part of getting this done.”

The request came during the annual Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island, a meeting of business leaders and politicians and a place where deals can be made.

Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/public-sector/whitmer-urges-business-back-gas-tax-michigan-republicans-still-balking

May 31, 2019

Michigan is 'perfect microcosm' of 2020 electorate looking for hope, pundits say

Michigan is a “perfect microcosm” of an American electorate looking for a president to guide them through sweeping technological and cultural changes affecting multiple demographics, national political analysts said on Mackinac Island Wednesday.

Matthew Dowd, chief political analyst for ABC News, and Donna Brazile, contributor to Fox News and veteran Democratic political strategist, discussed their expectations for the 2020 presidential election at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Dowd, a Detroit native, said Michigan is at the center of a new industrial revolution that is putting stress on the country’s institutions and perception of itself.

Dowd said the 2016 election revealed a large group of people felt used by politicians and left behind by advancements in technology, social changes and the global economy. He said they pinned their hopes on political outsiders like President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who offered to shake up the political establishment.

Sanders won the 2016 primary in Michigan but did not secure the Democratic nomination. Trump went on to win Michigan in the general election, in part by promising to revitalize the state’s auto industry and bring economic opportunity to rural areas.

Read more: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2019/05/michigan-is-perfect-microcosm-of-2020-electorate-looking-for-hope-pundits-say.html