The Chicago Sun Times reports that 13 Chicago Democrats have been charged in a variety of fraud schemes involving $16 million embezzled from state health grants. Of the 13, six have already plead guilty.
Margaret A. Davis and Tonja Cook of the Chicago chapter of the National Black Nurses Association have been charged with mail fraud and money laundering. Davis pleaded guilty, admitting that with the help of Cook, she siphoned bout $500,000 for personal use involving mortgage and credit-card payments. Cook also pled guilty to using thousands under Davis’s control to pay campaign workers for former state Senator Rickey Hendson.
Regina R. Evans, former County Club Hills police chief and her husband, Ronald W. Evans, Jr., a former inspector general for the south suburb were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. Both admitted spending about half of a $125 million commerce department grant received for “We Are Our Brother’s Keeper” on gifts for family and friends and paying off personal debt.
Regina R. Evans and her brother Ricky McCoy, former executive director of “We Are Our Brother’s Keeper” have been charged with money laundering, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Jeri L. Wright, daughter of Obama’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright was charged with money laundering and making a false statement before a grand jury. She is accused of aiding and abetting Regina and Ronald Evans in their money laundering scheme.
Leon Dingle, Jr, a south side business owner, his wife Karin Dingle and associates Jacqueline Kilpatrick and Edward Clemons are charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering. The Dingles are accused of siphoning about $3 million in state health grants and using the money to buy certificates of deposit, making mortgage payments and membership in country club, among other things. Kilpatrick and Clemons are charged with using $700,000 in grant money to maintain a vacation home in Hilton Head, SC, to purchase a Mercedes-Benz, a Cadillac and a fur coat.
Lloyd Kelly, former director of “Let’s Talk, Let’s Test Foundation,” an AIDS awareness group is charged with mail fraud and illegally spending grant money on his home, and office rent for retired State Representative Connie Howard, co-founder of Let’s Talk.
Connie Howard, retired state representative, charged with mail fraud, admitted skimming tens of thousands from a charity golf outing for personal and political use.
Qinshaunta R. Golden, former Illinois Dept. of Public Health chief of staff is charged with bribery/theft, mail fraud and obstruction of justice. Golden, a niece of US Rep. Danny Davis is accused of pocketing around $433,000 in kickbacks on health department contracts and grants she oversaw. Her boss, Obama’s friend Eric Whitaker, former Illinois public health chief, said he is cooperating with investigators and had no “firsthand” knowledge of her activities.
Health related grant money, Democrats, Chicago style politics, and embezzlement – Welcome to the future of ObamaCare.
