A defense attorney has suggested at a Cook County commissioner's trial that prosecutors have twisted the evidence against his client.
His comments came Thursday after a prosecutor said in her closings that the 78-year-old William Beavers evaded taxes by not declaring campaign money spent gambling as income.
Sam Adam Jr. drew objections from prosecutors when he looked at jurors and boomed, "They are trying to bamboozle you."
Minutes later, Judge James Zagel told Adam he seemed to be engaging in personal attacks and ordered him to stop.
Beavers normally sat stone-faced but chuckled when the judge admonished Adam.
Adam also mentioned an IRS agent who said on the stand he wasn't good at all aspects of math. Adam said prosecutors relied on the one accountant "who couldn't add and subtract."
A prosecutor has told jurors there's no evidence to support a Cook County commissioner's claim he regarded hundreds of thousands of dollars he took from his campaign as loans.
Her remarks came during closings Thursday at William Beavers tax-evasion trial. He's accused of using campaign money gambling and not declaring it as income. Loans aren't considered income.
Carrie Hamilton said Beavers kept meticulous records during campaign business to ensure he was reimbursed. He even had records for $1.09 spent at McDonald's.
But she said there are no records campaign money used for gambling were loans, not even an IOU on a napkin.
Prosecutors say Beavers used the money to feed a gambling habit, losing nearly $500,000 over three years.
The 78-year-old Beavers has pleaded not guilty to four tax counts.
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Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
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.
Human rights advocate Marianne Elliot wrote "Zen under Fire," a powerful memoir about her experience as a U.N. peacekeeper in war-torn Afghanistan. She also does yoga to de-stress in her everyday life.
Human rights advocate Marianne Elliot wrote "Zen under Fire," a powerful memoir about her experience as a U.N. peacekeeper in war-torn Afghanistan. She also does yoga to de-stress in her everyday life.
Monday, June 17 2013 3:09 PM EDT2013-06-17 19:09:21 GMT
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:44 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:44:33 GMT
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:03:54 GMT
Carla Oglesby is accused of using fake contracts to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself and her friends, from local vendors. She was first arrested nearly three years ago.
Carla Oglesby is accused of using fake contracts to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself and her friends, from local vendors. She was first arrested nearly three years ago.
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