We regularly put up posts discussing public corruption.    By frequently giving examples of public corruption cases, we hope to educate citizens to be more alert for the sometimes less-than-obvious  signs and symptoms of it in our own communities.   The most effective weapon against public corruption is an informed public who understands that a corrupt public official is nothing less (and quite a bit more) than a pickpocket taking money out of honest peoples’ pockets and purses.   Here are some more examples of public corruption cases being prosecuted.

Note the variety of activities amounting to criminal conduct.  I’ve underlined the crux of each prosecution.  Hyperlinks are in bold purple.

• Former South Tucson Police Officer Sentenced for Theft and Tax Evasion:    A police lieutenant pled guilty to charges of theft from an organization receiving federal funds, as well as to subscribing and filing false income tax returns.
• Indiana Political Insider Sentenced to 6 1/2 Years:  A non-elected public official failed to disclose he had a financial interest in contracts between his employer and a company hired by the employer to provide counseling services to employees and clients of government entities.   The official also illegally received payments from the contractor for helping the company win contracts with government entities.  The official was convicted of insurance fraud, filing false tax returns, and depriving the public of honest services.
• Former Kodak Employee, Real Estate Appraiser and his Wife Sentenced for Defrauding Eastman Kodak Company and Tax Fraud:  A Kodak employee hired a real estate appraiser to make real property appraisals for Kodak.  In return, the appraiser gave kickbacks to the employee.  The Greece Town Assessor also received payments from the appraiser in connection with various property tax assessment matters involving property located in Greece.  
• Former Chicago Alderman Sentenced on Mail Fraud and Tax Fraud Charges:  This was posted earlier on OpenCdA under the title Troutman: “Most Aldermen Are ‘Ho’s’”.   Chicago refers to its city council members as “aldermen.”