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Date: 03-11-2020
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:20-cr-00141
Judge: Sheila M. Finnegan
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Cook County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Christopher John Stetler
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Chicago, IL - The United States of America charged William A. Helm with bribery.
A Chicago consultant has been indicted in federal court for allegedly corruptly offering money to an Illinois State Senator in connection with obtaining state approval for a suburban development project.
WILLIAM A. HELM, 56, of Chicago, is charged with one count of federal program bribery. The indictment was returned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Arraignment is set for March 10, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan.
The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; and Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Stetler and James P. Durkin.
According to the indictment, Helm and his consulting firm were retained by a construction company to assist in obtaining approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation for signalization and roadwork in connection with the company’s development project in East Dundee. The company sought approval from IDOT in 2017, the indictment states. From July 2018 to at least November 2018, Helm corruptly offered and agreed to pay money to influence and reward the senator in connection with IDOT approval of the project, the indictment states. At the time, the senator was Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and was in a position to assist with obtaining such approvals, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Outcome: 03/10/2020 7 PRETRIAL Bail Report as to William A Helm (SEALED) (ct,) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
03/10/2020 8 MOTION by USA for protective order as to William A Helm (Stetler, Christopher) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
03/10/2020 9 ORDER as to William A Helm: Initial appearance and Arraignment held on 3/10/2020. Counsel Tim Grace appears as retained counsel for Defendant. Defendant informed of his rights, the charge against him, and the maximum penalties if convicted. Defendant enters a plea of not guilty. The Government and Defendant agree on certain proposed conditions of release. The Court enters an order setting conditions of release and appearance bond for $100,000.00. Rule 16.1(a) conference to be held by 3/17/2020. Status hearing before Judge Bucklo is set on 3/27/2020 at 10:15 a.m. Without objection, time is excluded in the interest of justice from 3/10/2020 to and including 3/27/2020 pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3161(h)(7)(A)(B) and for reasons stated in open court. Signed by the Honorable Sheila M. Finnegan on 3/10/20. Mailed notice (gcy, ) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
03/10/2020 10 ORDER Setting Conditions of Release as to William A Helm in amount of $ 100,000.00, Own Recognizance. Signed by the Honorable Sheila M. Finnegan on 3/10/20. Mailed notice (gcy, ) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
03/10/2020 11 APPEARANCE Bond as to William A Helm in the amount of $ 100,000.00, unsecured. (gcy, ) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: