Former Illinois lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate William “Sam” McCann abruptly pleaded guilty on Thursday to nine felony counts of wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, halting his federal corruption trial over misusing up to $550,000 in campaign contributions.
McCann, who cut off negotiations over a plea deal last fall when he dismissed his court-appointed attorneys, made the reversal on the third day of a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Lawless. His latest lawyer, Jason Vincent, of Springfield, asked that he be released from custody as part of the deal, but Lawless nixed the idea, telling McCann his only option was to offer a no-strings open plea.
The seven counts of wire fraud and single count of money laundering each carry a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. For tax evasion, it’s three. But a complex set of advisory guidelines before Lawless, who set sentencing for June 20, will likely yield a far shorter term.
He realised something much, much worse about him would be found in discovery, and pled out to keep it secret.
William McCann (Republican Party) (also known as Sam) was a member of the Illinois State Senate, representing District 50. McCann assumed office in 2013. McCann left office on January 9, 2019.
https://ballotpedia.org/William_McCann
Just in case you were curious.
William McCann (Republican Party)
I am shocked, absolutely flabbergasted I tell you. I feel as if I’ve been duped, bamboozled, and smeckledorfed.
Hey, we’re equal opportunity on corruption in Illinois.
Equal opportunity on PROSECUTING corruption in Illinois. Every state has corrupt politicians, we just really like holding them accountable here.
Fair, this guy didn’t try to sell a seat on the U.S. Senate as far as we know. Just some garden variety fraud and money laundering.
my fav thing about illinois is their slogan; ‘Our Governors Make Your License Plates’
This guy formed his own “Conservative Party.” He had no chance at being elected Governor, regardless of how corrupt Illinois is.
I also wouldn’t describe Illinois as being corrupt having lived here my whole life. Chances are that almost all of the crimes uncovered by politicians in the state happen elsewhere, but we’ve set a precedent for actually prosecuting the politicians when they are caught.
If you look to your left and there is the former governor of Illinois, and then you looked to your right, and there is another former governor of Illinois, then the chances are that you’re in prison
