From the Chicago Sun-Times

Former aide to big state lobbyist expected to plead guilty
February 24, 2004
BY STEVE WARMBIR Federal Courts Reporter
A former top aide to powerhouse Illinois lobbyist Al Ronan is expected to
plead guilty, possibly later this week, in the ongoing probe of corruption
under Gov. George Ryan, federal prosecutors said in court Monday.
Julie Starsiak, 56, of Chicago, a former vice president at Ronan Potts LLC
lobbying firm, is believed to be cooperating with federal authorities and
that assistance could fuel their investigation of Ronan, who has not been
charged with any wrongdoing.
Starsiak worked closely with Ronan for two decades and knows many aspects
of his political dealings, political sources said.
Starsiak is charged with lying to investigators. She was indicted earlier
this month as part of a broader case against Scott Fawell, a former top
aide to Ryan. Fawell already was convicted of political corruption in another
case.
In the new indictment against him, Fawell is accused of fixing an $11.5
million consulting contract while Fawell ran the agency that oversees
McCormick Place and Navy Pier.
Ronan's lobbying firm was also charged in the case. It represented the
consulting firm Jacobs Facilities Inc., based in St. Louis, that received
the contract to manage an $800 million expansion at McCormick Place.
An attorney for Ronan's firm has laid the blame of alleged wrongdoing with
Starsiak. Ronan, a former state lawmaker, has been a key player in behind-the-scenes
deals in the statehouse and was a key money-raiser for Gov. Blagojevich.