A former South Side alderman never waffled about her innocence when federal corruption charges were levied against her last year, until now. In a 360-degree turn, former Ald. Arenda Troutman (20th) admitted in federal court Wednesday –– verbal
A former South Side alderman never waffled about her innocence when federal corruption charges were levied against her last year, until now. In a 360-degree turn, former Ald. Arenda Troutman (20th) admitted in federal court Wednesday –– verbally and in a 33-page plea agreement –– to extortion and income tax evasion. She was originally indicted on 13 counts of corruption in 2007. The 50-year-old was caught on wiretaps during an FBI sting requesting money from real estate developers in exchange for letters of support for various land and property deals. Asst. U.S. Attorney Joseph Alesia said Troutman told developers who wanted to do business in her ward that they had to pay to play. Donations to her campaign were to be made before she would use her political status to secure zoning changes, land deals and alley access. Contributions that exceeded $1,500 were to be given to the 20th Ward Women’s Auxiliary, a charitable organization. Funds taken in that fell below $1,500 were to be given to her ward’s democratic organization or “Citizens for Troutman.” Once the payment was received, Troutman sent a letter of support to the City Council, Alesia said, to U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo. The women’s auxiliary never registered with the IRS and was used as a front to hoard the thousands of dollars of contributions. Troutman raked in a total of $21,500, Alesia said. When asked by Castillo if she took funds illegally, Troutman, dressed in a multi-color dress and sandals, answered barely above a whisper, “Yes.” The 17-year alderman was also caught on the wiretaps denigrating her colleagues. “Most alderman, most politicians are hos,” Troutman said, according to wiretap transcripts. When asked about Troutman’s about-face, her attorney said she simply wanted to maximize her time spent with her children, and she is in no way cooperating with the authorities. Troutman has three sons. “I can say that the federal government did their homework, which is evident by what we see here today. For the benefit of her family and for the benefit of her personally, we felt this was the best thing to do at this time,” said Sam Adam Jr., Troutman’s attorney. Troutman faces up to 23 years in prison for the mail and tax fraud charges. But Alesia said Castillo could sentence her to up to 57 months in prison. Adam said Troutman has an “impeccable” background, and he will fight to keep her sentence under 33 months. “The judge will certainly take that into account at sentencing,” Adam said. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3. ______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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