Fawell prosecutor spars with Pate

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Fawell prosecutor spars with Pate

March 6, 2003

BY STEVE WARMBIR FEDERAL COURTS REPORTER

Former state Senate President James "Pate" Philip offered to help get a government job for the relative of a key prosecution witness at the same time the man was offering to contribute money to Philip's campaign, prosecutors alleged Wednesday.

Those details came out as Philip, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, underwent a blistering cross-examination Wednesday by federal prosecutor Patrick Collins during the political corruption trial of Scott Fawell, a former top aide to George Ryan.

Fawell's attorneys called Philip to try to undermine the testimony of witness Larry Hall, a former crooked secretary of state employee and best friend to Fawell.

Philip was grilled on getting a $15,000 party at Navy Pier in 1999--thanks to Fawell--that he didn't pay for until 2002 after the Chicago Sun-Times exposed it.

And Philip was confronted with excerpts from a secretly recorded conversation with Hall where he appears to acknowledge that he helped a Lombard strip mall owner keep a state agency office on her property in return for campaign contributions. Philip says "OK" after Hall generally describes the situation, but Philip said that didn't mean he knew what Hall was talking about.

"I've never met her," Philip said. "I didn't remember it--her--at all, and I don't remember doing anything for her."

"So sir, when you said 'OK,' what you're telling us, that really meant, 'I don't remember her'? " Collins asked.

"That's correct," Philip said.

Philip has been not been charged with any wrongdoing. His attorney, Steven Molo, cited what he called Philip's impeccable record serving the state.

In earlier testimony, Hall linked Fawell and Philip to a variety of misdeeds, allegations Philip denied. Hall contended Philip helped out the Lombard strip mall owner for campaign contributions, and knew about Hall using low-digit license plates to raise money for Philip.

Collins raised the new allegation that Hall discussed Philip getting a government job for Hall's relative while also talking about giving money to Philip.

Hall later gave $1,400 to Philip's campaign, although it's unclear what happened with the job. Hall's conversation with Philip appeared to be part of the government investigation into Philip's conduct.

Philip denied he ever linked a government action to political contributions. He said he doesn't even pay attention to who gives him money, unless it's $15,000 or more.

Philip did admit to taking a $15,000 party for his 50th high school reunion at Navy Pier, which Fawell ran at the time. The cocktail party--for 85 people with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and a big band--was not billed to Philip until the Sun-Times wrote about it.

Outside court, Philip said he was never the target of the investigation. When asked why Hall was recording him, Philip said Hall was trying to trap him. Hall has pleaded guilty in the corruption probe and is cooperating with the feds.

"He was trying to save his own ass," Philip said.