A Cook County commissioner who's facing federal tax charges says there's proof he paid back money from his campaign and never sought to evade paying the IRS.
William Beavers is presenting his defense to federal prosecutors Thursday. Beavers has been indicted for tax fraud.
Lawyers handed out a deposit receipt dated May 29, 2009, in the amount of $68,000. That's one of the sums federal prosecutors say Beavers illegally used from his campaign.
His lawyers appeared to suggest that he didn't owe taxes on that cash because the money was paid back.
Three years ago, FOX Chicago broke the story of Cook County commissioners pocketing money meant to run their offices.
Beavers allegedly was taking his contingency fund money -- $1,200 a month -- and pocketing it as income.
Beavers also took the opportunity to blast the former U.S. attorney who brought the charges against him. He contends he's being prosecuted in retribution for his refusal to wear a wire during an investigation of County Commissioner John Daley.
"I told them to kiss me where the sun don't shine, and they're mad," said Beavers.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:53:26 GMT
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:12:39 GMT
Police are urging parents and community members to exercise caution after a man tried luring an 11-year-old girl into a car in the North Side Albany Park neighborhood.
Police are urging parents and community members to exercise caution after a man tried luring an 11-year-old girl into a car in the North Side Albany Park neighborhood.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:08:32 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:01:31 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:32:03 GMT
Nearly 9 percent of Illinois' bridges are "structurally deficient" and in need of serious maintenance or replacement -- an uptick of 1 percent from two years ago, a new report indicates.
Nearly 9 percent of Illinois' bridges are "structurally deficient" and in need of serious maintenance or replacement -- an uptick of 1 percent from two years ago, a new report indicates.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:53 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:53:49 GMT
Police on Tuesday said they are looking for a maroon Hyundai Sonata that fatally struck a woman in a Bridgeport hit-and-run last week on the South Side.
Police on Tuesday said they are looking for a maroon Hyundai Sonata that fatally struck a woman in a Bridgeport hit-and-run last week on the South Side.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:04 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:04:44 GMT
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
