An excerpt of Dentons’ Political Law Playbook.
Former IL Mayor Anthony Ragucci Charged in Red Light Camera Bribery Scheme –Former IL Mayor Anthony Ragucci Charged in Red Light Camera Bribery Scheme – Former Oakbrook Terrace, IL Mayor Anthony Ragucci was accused last month of accepting thousands in payoffs in exchange for allowing red light cameras in Oakbrook Terrace, and is now facing federal corruption charges. Ragucci resigned in January 2020 amid reports of this misconduct and has now been charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. According to the federal charges, a red-light camera firm received a contract to operate the cameras in the suburb in 2012. In 2017, the president of an unnamed company that worked as the sales representative of the red-light camera firm allegedly agreed to pay Ragucci $3,500 a month from revenue generated by the red light cameras.
Pay-to-Play Proposal and Municipal Ethics Rule Changes Included in Policy Report Published by Atlanta Mayor’s Transition Team – Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ transition team recently published a set of comprehensive policy recommendations for tackling the city’s present challenges in an 88-page report. The report suggests, among other things, that the mayor consider implementing new city pay-to-play provisions that would restrict campaign contributions by existing and prospective municipal contractors after the submission of a bid, as well as for a meaningful period after the commencement of a city contract. The transition team drew inspiration for its pay-to-play proposal from restrictions employed by other major cities (including the City of Los Angeles) and recommended the creation of new ethics rules that seek to balance the principals of transparency, compliance, discretion and efficiency.
New York’s Lieutenant Governor Resigns After Arrest in Federal Bribery Case – New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin (D) resigned last month after his arrest on charges associated with a purported campaign finance scheme. Benjamin, who pled not guilty to all charges at his initial appearance in federal court, faces counts of bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records related to an alleged scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s assistance with a state grant.
About the Political Law Playbook
Dentons’ Political Law Playbook is a monthly update on the most important developments in the areas of political law, government ethics, campaign finance, lobbying and election law. Each edition of Political Law Playbook will cast a spotlight on the unique issues at the intersection of law, policy and politics and give you a window into how the Dentons Political Law, Ethics and Disclosure team can help you navigate the compliance challenges you face.
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