Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 12:08:37 -0500
From: leonf@perspicuity.net ("Leon")
Subject: FEAR: Jury decides Loren-Maltese, 5 others must forfeit million
To: fear-list@mapinc.org, fear-talk@mapinc.org
Reply-To: fear-talk@mapinc.org


The story is online at http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsindex/27-ds8.htm

Posted by Leon Felkins

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'The loot is being returned'

Jury decides Loren-Maltese, 5 others must forfeit millions

Tuesday, August 27, 2002



By Melanie Coffee
The Associated Press



A federal jury decided Monday that Cicero President Betty Loren-Maltese and five others convicted of defrauding the town must forfeit millions of dollars in cash and property.

The jury ruled Loren-Maltese must forfeit up to $3.25 million in cash and two pieces of property in Wisconsin. The jury reached its decision despite the arguments of her lawyer, who said his client has no interest in the Wisconsin property and should not be held responsible forit.

The jury also determined co-defendants Michael Spano Sr. and John LaGiglio must forfeit up to $4 million each and interest in the Wisconsin property.

"The candy store robbery has been solved, and the loot is being returned," said Thomas J. Kneir, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Chicago office. "This trial and conviction of the Cicero politicians and organized crime sends a strong message that this type of activity will not be tolerated in the Chicago area."

Prosecutors told the jury, which convicted the six defendants of racketeering conspiracy Friday, that the assets represent money stolen from Cicero taxpayers.

"They cannot keep the fruits of their fraud," Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Andersson said.

. . .

After the forfeiture decision was read Monday, Loren-Maltese shook her head and later called the ruling "unbelievable."

Loren-Maltese's lawyer, Terence P. Gillespie, argued that his client has no interest in the Wisconsin property and should not be held responsible for it.

"She doesn't have any cash," Gillespie said. "All I can say is we have no interest in the golf course and we have no interest in the home."

. . .

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