Latest news with #Jones'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Feds say they will retry Illinois state Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges after jury deadlocked in April
CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that they will retry Illinois state Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges after a jury in April deadlocked on all counts, leading to a mistrial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri made the announcement during a status hearing before U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood. He also said prosecutors intend to call several witnesses who did not testify at Jones' first trial, though he did not identify them. Jones' attorney, Victor Henderson, asked for time to inform Jones, who was not present in court. The judge did not immediately set a trial date. Jones, 46, a Chicago Democrat and son of former Senate President Emil Jones Jr., was charged with agreeing to take bribes from an executive of a red-light camera company in exchange for Jones' protection in Springfield against legislation that would hurt the company's bottom line. Wood declared a mistrial April 24 after the jury at least twice reported it could not reach a verdict. Before doing so, the judge polled jurors individually to hear about their progress. Afterward, she reported that nearly all of them suggested that no further progress could be made. 'Considering all of the elements and the concern that there could be a prejudicial impact of continuing forced deliberations at this point ... I think it's appropriate at this point to declare a mistrial,' Wood said at the time. The jury of seven women and five men had deliberated for about 24 hours over four days before announcing they were deadlocked. The mistrial came nearly six years after FBI agents confronted Jones at his Roseland neighborhood home as part of a sweeping investigation into bribery schemes involving red-light cameras, liquor licenses and other graft across the west and southwest suburbs. At the heart of the probe was Omar Maani, co-founder of SafeSpeed LLC who agreed to work undercover for federal investigators after being confronted with evidence he was paying off officials in Oak Lawn in exchange for political support to add SafeSpeed cameras at additional intersections. Maani, who was granted a deferred prosecution agreement by the U.S. attorney's office for his extensive cooperation, was the star witness at Jones' trial, testifying for the first time in public about his prolific turn as an FBI mole. That cooperation also has netted the convictions of former Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta, ex-Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Anthony Ragucci, and Jeffrey Tobolski, the former mayor of McCook and Cook County commissioner. According to the charges, Jones agreed to accept $5,000 in campaign funding from Maani in exchange for Jones agreeing not to file a bill calling for a statewide study of red-light cameras, which SafeSpeed considered potentially damaging to its bottom line. Jones also offered to 'protect' the company from his friend, then-state Rep. David McSweeney, who had filed bills of his own calling for an all-out ban of red-light cameras, according to prosecutors. The charges allege Jones also asked Maani to give his former office intern a part-time job, which led to $1,800 being paid to the intern in exchange for no work. _____
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Feds say they will retry state Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges after jury deadlocked in April
Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that they will seek to retry state Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges after a jury in April deadlocked on all counts, leading to a mistrial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri made the announcement during a status hearing before U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood. Jones' attorney, Victor Henderson, asked for time to inform Jones, who was not present in court. The judge did not immediately set a trial date. Jones, 46, a Chicago Democrat and son of former Senate President Emil Jones Jr., was charged with agreeing to take bribes from an executive of a red-light camera company in exchange for Jones' protection in Springfield against legislation that would hurt the company's bottom line. Wood declared a mistrial on April 24 after the jury at least twice reported they could not reach a verdict. Before doing so, she polled them individually to hear about their progress. Afterward, she reported that nearly all of them suggested that no further progress could be made. 'Considering all of the elements and the concern that there could be a prejudicial impact of continuing forced deliberations at this point … I think it's appropriate at this point to declare a mistrial,' Wood said at the time. The jury of seven women and five men had deliberated for about 24 hours over four days before announcing they were deadlocked. The mistrial came nearly six years after FBI agents confronted Jones at his Roseland neighborhood home as part of a sweeping investigation into bribery schemes involving red-light cameras, liquor licenses and other graft across the west and southwest suburbs. At the heart of the probe was Omar Maani, co-founder of SafeSpeed LLC who agreed to work undercover for federal investigators after being confronted with evidence he was paying off officials in Oak Lawn in exchange for political support to add SafeSpeed cameras at additional intersections. Maani, who was granted a deferred prosecution agreement by the U.S. attorney's office for his extensive cooperation, was the star witness at Jones' trial, testifying for the first time in public about his prolific turn as an FBI mole. That cooperation also has netted the convictions of former Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta, ex-Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Anthony Ragucci, and Jeffrey Tobolski, the former mayor of McCook and Cook County commissioner. According to the charges, Jones agreed to accept $5,000 in campaign funding from Maani in exchange for Jones agreeing not to file a bill calling for a statewide study of red-light cameras, which SafeSpeed considered potentially damaging to its bottom line. Jones also offered to 'protect' the company from his friend, then-state Rep. David McSweeney, who had filed bills of his own calling for an all-out ban of red-light cameras, according to prosecutors. The charges allege Jones also asked Maani to give his former office intern a part-time job, which led to $1,800 being paid to the intern in exchange for no work. jmeisner@
Chicago Tribune
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Feds say they will retry state Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges after jury deadlocked in April
Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that they will seek to retry state Sen. Emil Jones III on bribery charges after a jury in April deadlocked on all counts, leading to a mistrial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri made the announcement during a status hearing before U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood. Jones' attorney, Victor Henderson, asked for time to inform Jones, who was not present in court. The judge did not immediately set a trial date. Jones, 46, a Chicago Democrat and son of former Senate President Emil Jones Jr., was charged with agreeing to take bribes from an executive of a red-light camera company in exchange for Jones' protection in Springfield against legislation that would hurt the company's bottom line. Wood declared a mistrial on April 24 after the jury at least twice reported they could not reach a verdict. Before doing so, she polled them individually to hear about their progress. Afterward, she reported that nearly all of them suggested that no further progress could be made. 'Considering all of the elements and the concern that there could be a prejudicial impact of continuing forced deliberations at this point … I think it's appropriate at this point to declare a mistrial,' Wood said at the time. The jury of seven women and five men had deliberated for about 24 hours over four days before announcing they were deadlocked. The mistrial came nearly six years after FBI agents confronted Jones at his Roseland neighborhood home as part of a sweeping investigation into bribery schemes involving red-light cameras, liquor licenses and other graft across the west and southwest suburbs. At the heart of the probe was Omar Maani, co-founder of SafeSpeed LLC who agreed to work undercover for federal investigators after being confronted with evidence he was paying off officials in Oak Lawn in exchange for political support to add SafeSpeed cameras at additional intersections. Maani, who was granted a deferred prosecution agreement by the U.S. attorney's office for his extensive cooperation, was the star witness at Jones' trial, testifying for the first time in public about his prolific turn as an FBI mole. That cooperation also has netted the convictions of former Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta, ex-Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Anthony Ragucci, and Jeffrey Tobolski, the former mayor of McCook and Cook County commissioner. According to the charges, Jones agreed to accept $5,000 in campaign funding from Maani in exchange for Jones agreeing not to file a bill calling for a statewide study of red-light cameras, which SafeSpeed considered potentially damaging to its bottom line. Jones also offered to 'protect' the company from his friend, then-state Rep. David McSweeney, who had filed bills of his own calling for an all-out ban of red-light cameras, according to prosecutors. The charges allege Jones also asked Maani to give his former office intern a part-time job, which led to $1,800 being paid to the intern in exchange for no work.
The Age
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
If you've never heard of Sienna Toohey, now is the time to take note
Toohey is faster at the same age. Yes, times have changed, but there is something special about this youngster. Australian swimming was buzzing with excitement on night two of the national trials when Toohey won her race in a personal best time of 1:06.55, just clear of Ella Ramsay (1:06.86). The time would have won a gold medal at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. By the time Toohey was being interviewed poolside, she was almost inconsolable. 'I'm just so excited because I worked so hard,' Toohey said as tears rolled down her cheeks. 'I was so nervous and so happy I have done it. 'It's been very hard living in Canberra for the last six weeks.' Toohey waved to family in the stands before greeting reporters. She'd spoken to some a year earlier when, as a 15-year-old, she'd narrowly missed making a maiden Olympics team. 'It was definitely something that I really wanted to be a part of,' Toohey said. 'It was definitely [tears of] relief.' How did she get into swimming? When did the dream really kick in? 'I started swimming because I wanted to play water polo, but my parents told me that I couldn't do water polo if I didn't swim,' Toohey said. 'I started swimming just to do it and then my brother started to get really good at it. I got to the point where I had to choose swimming or water polo. Obviously, I chose swimming. It was the right choice.' Next month, the shy schoolgirl will travel to Singapore and represent her country at the world championships. Not a bad story to take back to school. 'They're very curious about swimming but they don't really understand most parts of it. They know that I'm good though,' Toohey said. 'I've told them my goals and they're very supportive. I'm sure I'll go back and I'll have numerous messages from them all.' Astute swimming judges have been whispering Toohey's name for some time. Last year, she broke Jones' 15-year-old age record that had stood since 2000. Earlier this year, Toohey lowered Jones' national record among 16-year-old breaststrokers in the two-lap event. Jones' best time as a 16-year-old was 1:07.31. Toohey is nearly a second quicker at the same age, but is now gunning for Jones' overall Australian record of 1:05.09. Toohey, who is now the eighth-fastest Australian in the event, was lucky enough to meet her hero during last year's Olympic trials. 'After nationals [this year] she sent me a message the night after I broke her record,' Toohey said. 'It honestly made my week. Getting something personalised from her … and her telling me to keep going and that things can happen when you're young, was definitely inspiring. 'I watched some of her races when I was first chasing down her records.' When the Brisbane Olympics arrive, Toohey is likely to be in the prime of her career, still at a tender age of 23. Toohey admits she has thought about the prospect of competing at a home Olympics. She is living proof that the Olympic dream burns bright in the nation's young athletes. 'When the Brisbane Olympics first got announced, that was the Olympic team I was hoping to get on. Now I've made this [world championship] one, we'll have to push the timeline up a bit more,' Toohey said. 'It'd definitely mean a lot being in my home country, plus some family members could come. Loading 'I just want to reach the top and hopefully get a medal at the Olympics one day.' Once Toohey had finished her interviews, she was greeted by some of her teenage friends. 'I now know someone who's going to be famous,' one was overheard saying.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
If you've never heard of Sienna Toohey, now is the time to take note
Toohey is faster at the same age. Yes, times have changed, but there is something special about this youngster. Australian swimming was buzzing with excitement on night two of the national trials when Toohey won her race in a personal best time of 1:06.55, just clear of Ella Ramsay (1:06.86). The time would have won a gold medal at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. By the time Toohey was being interviewed poolside, she was almost inconsolable. 'I'm just so excited because I worked so hard,' Toohey said as tears rolled down her cheeks. 'I was so nervous and so happy I have done it. 'It's been very hard living in Canberra for the last six weeks.' Toohey waved to family in the stands before greeting reporters. She'd spoken to some a year earlier when, as a 15-year-old, she'd narrowly missed making a maiden Olympics team. 'It was definitely something that I really wanted to be a part of,' Toohey said. 'It was definitely [tears of] relief.' How did she get into swimming? When did the dream really kick in? 'I started swimming because I wanted to play water polo, but my parents told me that I couldn't do water polo if I didn't swim,' Toohey said. 'I started swimming just to do it and then my brother started to get really good at it. I got to the point where I had to choose swimming or water polo. Obviously, I chose swimming. It was the right choice.' Next month, the shy schoolgirl will travel to Singapore and represent her country at the world championships. Not a bad story to take back to school. 'They're very curious about swimming but they don't really understand most parts of it. They know that I'm good though,' Toohey said. 'I've told them my goals and they're very supportive. I'm sure I'll go back and I'll have numerous messages from them all.' Astute swimming judges have been whispering Toohey's name for some time. Last year, she broke Jones' 15-year-old age record that had stood since 2000. Earlier this year, Toohey lowered Jones' national record among 16-year-old breaststrokers in the two-lap event. Jones' best time as a 16-year-old was 1:07.31. Toohey is nearly a second quicker at the same age, but is now gunning for Jones' overall Australian record of 1:05.09. Toohey, who is now the eighth-fastest Australian in the event, was lucky enough to meet her hero during last year's Olympic trials. 'After nationals [this year] she sent me a message the night after I broke her record,' Toohey said. 'It honestly made my week. Getting something personalised from her … and her telling me to keep going and that things can happen when you're young, was definitely inspiring. 'I watched some of her races when I was first chasing down her records.' When the Brisbane Olympics arrive, Toohey is likely to be in the prime of her career, still at a tender age of 23. Toohey admits she has thought about the prospect of competing at a home Olympics. She is living proof that the Olympic dream burns bright in the nation's young athletes. 'When the Brisbane Olympics first got announced, that was the Olympic team I was hoping to get on. Now I've made this [world championship] one, we'll have to push the timeline up a bit more,' Toohey said. 'It'd definitely mean a lot being in my home country, plus some family members could come. Loading 'I just want to reach the top and hopefully get a medal at the Olympics one day.' Once Toohey had finished her interviews, she was greeted by some of her teenage friends. 'I now know someone who's going to be famous,' one was overheard saying.
