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.
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.
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.
Equal opportunity on PROSECUTING corruption in Illinois. Every state has corrupt politicians, we just really like holding them accountable here.