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Former Illinois State Senator Terry Link Sentenced to 3 Years Probation and Restitution After Bribery Admission
Former Illinois Senator Terry Link Sentenced to Probation and Repayment
According to WTTW, In August 2019, former Democratic state Sen. Terry Link of Illinois was revealed to have solicited a bribe from then-state Rep. Luis Arroyo outside a Wendy’s restaurant. Link, who had been wearing a wire as a cooperating witness, sought a benefit for supporting a type of video gaming machine that Arroyo was advocating to legalize. The 76-year-old Link, who had been accused of misusing campaign funds and filing false tax returns, was officially charged in August 2020 and pleaded guilty the following month. Despite his cooperation, a federal judge recently sentenced Link to three years of probation and ordered him to pay nearly $83,000 in restitution.
Ex-State Senator Terry Link Gets 3 Years Probation with Feds Applauding ‘Extensive Cooperation’. (Yahoo Finance)
Former Illinois Senator Terry Link Offers Public Apology During Sentencing, Stresses Unintentional Error in Corruption Case
During the sentencing hearing, Link made a public apology, acknowledging his mistake and expressing remorse. He emphasized that he did not intend to cheat the government, attributing his actions to an unintentional error. The judge, while accepting the government’s recommendation for probation and restitution, voiced concern about the message such leniency might send to future public officials, emphasizing the importance of discouraging corruption in public service.
Link’s cooperation played a crucial role in the trial of Jimmy Weiss, a businessman charged with bribing both Link and Arroyo. While Arroyo is currently serving a 57-month prison sentence, Weiss faced trial and received a 66-month prison term. Link’s case sheds light on corruption in Illinois politics and raises questions about the ethical conduct of elected officials, contributing to ongoing efforts to address and deter such behavior in the state.
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