Chicago City Wire

Citing “blatant and systematic disregard for ethics,” Chicago’s former legislative inspector general, Faisal Khan, issued a statement regarding the recent indictment of local Alderman Willie Cochran on charges alleging campaign finance violations.

“The charges against Alderman Cochran unfortunately show the blatant and systematic disregard for ethics and campaign finance law that so many elected officials have displayed,” Khan said. “As legislative inspector general, I was charged to help restore ethics and accountability to the Chicago City Council. In a city that is known for its history of corruption, that is easier said than done.”

Khan is now serving as CEO of Project Six, a nonpartisan organization committed to exposing government corruption both locally and statewide. Its mission is to have Illinois’ legislators represent taxpayers and voters rather than politically connected individuals or entities.

Brought up on charges of financial misconduct, Cochran stands accused of 15 counts of mismanagement of funds that were intended for public charity use. The indictment alleges he stole cash from the 20th Ward Activities Fund, diverting the money for two personal objectives: to pay his daughter’s college tuition and to cushion purported gambling activities.

“For years, Chicago’s elected officials have blocked and hindered ethics oversight for the City Council,” Khan said. “As today’s charges show, it is needed now more than ever. The charges against Alderman Cochran show how effective ethics oversight can make a significant difference in bettering Chicago government.”

Cochran allegedly withdrew $25,000 via ATMs for casino gambling, plus another $5,000 to funnel into his daughter’s tuition payments, according to the federal indictment. Also among the 15 counts are allegations that he accepted bribes from a real estate attorney to get vacant homes up to code and occupied quickly, and that he engaged in dubious dealings with the owner of a liquor store. Neither party was immediately identified.

The indictment alleges Cochran “corruptly solicited and demanded, and accepted and agreed to accept” $1,500 from the lawyer in return for his help in distributing funds for rehabilitating foreclosed homes, as well as $3,000 in cash from the liquor store owner for arranging special licensing favors.

The alleged misallocation of over $30,000 has earned Cochran, 64, a total of 15 counts, returned by a federal grand jury on Tuesday -- 11 counts of wire fraud, two counts of extortion and two counts of bribery. If convicted, he could serve up to 20 years in prison. Arraignment will be held at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago at a later date.

The court indictment alleges the South Side official, elected to represent Chicago’s 20th Ward, misled donors using a substantial portion of funds earmarked for senior citizens, families and needy children of the underserved population inhabiting the 20th Ward — capital that was specifically designated for such basic needs as school supplies and clothing — “for his own personal use and expenses.”

Khan expressed pride in the work accomplished by his now-defunct Office of the Legislative Inspector General (OLIG) of Chicago, noting that in spite of criticism aimed at the short-lived agency — including opposition from other aldermen — his team laid a foundation for responsibility in local government.

"Numerous aldermen tried to discredit and undermine our work and ethics oversight in Chicago," Khan said after the indictment was announced. "But despite the roadblocks put in place by Chicago politicians, effective oversight can happen in Chicago.”

U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon credited Khan with providing significant information leading to the indictment of Cochran. Khan turned records over to federal authorities following the elimination of his agency position by the Chicago City Council.

“Unfortunately, the Office of the Legislative Inspector General was a casualty of a political culture in City Hall,” Khan said. “At Project Six, our mission is the same as our mission was at the OLIG, to uncover and expose government corruption and change the systems that allow it to persist. We will continue to work with the FBI and prosecutors in the future.”

Cochran has said he will continue to serve as alderman despite the indictment.