Illinois quick hits: Former police chief convicted of bribery; man sentenced for fraud
Former police chief convicted of bribery
A federal jury has convicted a former Summit, Illinois police chief of bribery offenses for corruptly accepting money from a local businessman to facilitate the transfer of a liquor license.
Prosecutors say John Kosmowski, 57, of Lockport conspired with Summit building inspector William Mundy to accept $10,000 from a businessman in 2017.
Kosmowski’s sentencing is set for March 27, 2026.
Man sentenced for fraud
An Indian national has been sentenced to 7.5 years in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution for his involvement in an imposter scheme to defraud 11 identified victims, including elderly residents from Edwardsville and Effingham, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Ligneshkumar H. Patel, 38, pleaded guilty several fraud charges.
According to court documents, Patel worked within a major conspiracy that included at least 85 additional victims with an intended loss of more than $6.9 million.
Gift card crime warnings
The Illinois Organized Retail Crime Association is sounding the alarm about gift card fraud.
The group says organized criminal groups tamper with cards, hack online accounts and scam victims into providing redemption codes.
ILORCA pointed to a list of warning signs offered by Homeland Security Investigations at the agency’s website.
Latest News Stories
Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans
American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020
Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich
Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested
Lawmakers concerned over taxpayer burden of Iran conflict
Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns
Measles spreads across some Southwestern states
EXCLUSIVE: Inside one Michigan town’s fight against solar expansion
Trump demands unconditional surrender from Iran, mentions regime change
Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising
U.S. cut 92,000 jobs in ‘dismal’ February report, unemployment 4.4%