From the Chicago Tribune

Feds indict ex-official in bribery probe
Published July 24, 2003

The former public works superintendent of Oak Forest and five other men have been indicted in a $375,000 extortion and bribery scheme, federal authorities said today.

Michael Feeley, 48, of the 4900 block of Sycamore Lane in the southwest suburb, extorted bribes in exchange for public works contracts such as trimming trees, electrical work and street paving, U.S. Atty. Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement.
Feeley also allegedly used city funds and employees to work on his home and boat, and to construct a driveway at a friend's house, according to the federal indictment.

The defendant was Oak Forest public works superintendent from May 1997 until he resigned in January 2002. He was charged with racketeering, witness tampering, five counts of extortion, eight counts of bribery, two counts of mail fraud and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns, Fitzgerald said.

Also indicted, according to Fitzgerald, were:

• Alan Grove, 56, of the 5100 block of Bobby Locke Lane, Midlothian, owner of Sure Construction Co. Inc., a Midlothian road repair and construction firm.

• Ronald Randich, 68, of the 17300 block of South Olcott Court, Tinley Park, who worked for Grove part-time, was an associate of Feeley and whose driveway allegedly was built using Oak Forest materials and manpower.

• Michael Langland, 29, of the 15200 block of Waverly St., Midlothian, owner of A Cut Above Tree & Stump Removal Inc., Midlothian, a tree trimming and removal service.

• Scott Kebleris, 38, of the 10900 block of 84th Avenue, Palos Hills, owner of Chicagoland Electric Inc., a Markham electrical contractor.

• David Rodriguez, 37, of the 17300 block of Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park, a former employee of Midwestern Electric, another Markham electrical contractor.

All five men were charged with bribery, Fitzgerald said. Rodriguez also was charged with perjury for allegedly lying before a federal grand jury in March about whether Feeley ever asked him for kickbacks, or if he ever paid bribes to the official.

The charges resulted from a probe involving the U.S. Attorney's office, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigative division.

If convicted, Feeley could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on the racketeering and extortion charges, and the other defendants up to 10 years in prison on the bribery charges, authorities said. They also could be fined up to $250,000.

The indictment also seeks forfeiture by Feeley of $500,000 in alleged racketeering proceeds.

The defendants remain free and will be ordered to appear at a time and place to be set later for their arraignments, said Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago.