Prosecutor Accused of Using County Resources to Boost his Political Campaign goes on Trial
The bench trial set to begin today may help define the murky line between a prosecutor’s political and professional roles.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi, accused of using county resources for political ends, will go on trial today, the Chicago Tribune reports. The 67-year-old prosecutor is accused of telling employees to pen campaign correspondence and keep records such as contact lists, endorsements and campaign petitions, the paper says.
Did Bianchi, a Republican who has held his position since 2004, go too far when he allegedly used taxpayers’ time at the office to work on his political campaign? Special prosecutors Henry “Skip” Tonigan and Thomas McQueen certainly believe so. However, in a sign that officials recognize a state attorney’s job has some political elements, prosecutors dropped an allegation associated with Bianchi’s pattern of paying office employees to take part in community expos and parades.
In September, Bianchi was charged with conspiracy, official misconduct and unlawful communication with a witness, the Tribune says. He will be tried with his administrative assistant, Joyce Synek, who is accused of perjury, conspiracy and obstruction of justice, the paper notes. If convicted, Bianchi potentially faces up to five years in prison, the Northwest Herald reports.
Bianchi’s legal woes show no sign of letting up: Last month, a new indictment was brought against Bianchi. Special prosecutors say Bianchi improperly acted to decrease penalties or drop charges in three cases involving defendants related to or politically connected to him or his office’s chief investigator, the Tribune reported. Bianchi is set to be tried for the latest charges June 27.
