A former aide to former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was found guilty Wednesday of theft and money laundering, but cleared of organizing financial crimes and official misconduct.
The verdict in the public corruption case — involving charges that Carla Oglesby steered county government contracts to her own company and her pals — comes nearly three years after she was arrested while pulling out of a downtown parking garage, leaving work for the day.
With the help of vendors, Stroger’s deputy chief of staff — and onetime campaign spokesperson — Oglesby “assisted . . . in getting various sham contracts through the system,” prosecutors charged.
Oglesby, specifically, steered more than $300,000 in fake government contracts to herself and her pals, prosecutors said — a claim denied by defense attorney Anthony Schumann.
Oglesby, 44, was also found guilty of unlawful stringing of bids.
Before rendering his verdict Judge James Linn said the stealing of taxpayers’ dollars was “eye popping, disheartening and shocking.”
With the help of Eugene Mullins, Stroger’s childhood friend and onetime chief media spokesman, Oglesby “assisted the other in getting various sham contracts through the system,” prosecutors alleged.
Schumann argued that it was Mullins who dealt with the vendors — not Oglesby.
But Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Robert Podlasek said Oglesby was the “heart” of the sham operation.
Oglesby and Mullins, who is facing federal charges related to the case, only stopped when the press started asking questions, he said.
“Make no mistake Carla Oglesby came to the county to take as much money [as she could] for herself,” Podlasek said.
Oglesby was operating a small-time public relations firm CGC Communication in 2009 when Stroger tapped her to be his spokeswoman in his re-election bid. He lost the February 2010 primary, but Stroger kept Oglesby on his payroll as his $120,000-a-year deputy chief of staff until days after her arrest.
Oglesby’s bench trial is the first of two that could shine an unflattering light on Stroger’s administration.
Mullins was not in trouble with the law at the time of Oglesby ’s 2010 arrest.
But last year, he was indicted on federal charges tied to an alleged kickback scheme stemming from a joint investigation with state authorities that led to Oglesby ’arrest. He faces trial next month.
Four men authorities said were connected to the pair’s alleged wrongdoing were also charged with a felony.
A few weeks ago, Schumann said that Stroger would take the stand for the defense but on Wednesday, he rested without presenting any witnesses. Stroger could not be reached for comment.
Following the verdict, Oglesby refused comment.
“I have nothing to say,” she said before hugging friends and relatives.
Schumann added, “Obviously we’re very disappointed.”
Oglesby, who remains free on bond, faces six to 30 years in prison.
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