Mayor of Riverdale, Ill. Indicted on Perjury and Obstruction Charges
In a shocking turn of events, the mayor of Riverdale, Illinois has been indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Lawrence Jackson, the 49-year-old mayor, allegedly lied under oath during a civil deposition and obstructed a lawsuit claiming that he retaliated against a former city vendor. The indictment, which was returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago, accuses Jackson of concealing his relationship with a recycling company’s owner and providing false testimony during the deposition. This development underscores the gravity of the situation and raises questions about the integrity of the mayor’s actions. Jackson’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled, and the charges carry serious consequences, including up to 20 years in federal prison for obstruction of justice and up to five years for perjury. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Indictment of Mayor of Riverdale, Ill.
Overview of Indictment
The mayor of Riverdale, Illinois, Lawrence Jackson, has been indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The indictment stems from a civil deposition in which Jackson is accused of providing false testimony and attempting to obstruct a lawsuit brought against him by a former city vendor.
Charges against Lawrence Jackson
Lawrence Jackson is facing one count of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. The perjury charge is based on allegations that Jackson provided false testimony during a deposition in the civil lawsuit. The obstruction of justice charge is related to his alleged attempts to hinder the progress of the lawsuit and obstruct the administration of justice.
Announcement of the Indictment
The indictment of Lawrence Jackson was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, along with several other government representatives. The announcement emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the commitment of the government to prosecute those who engage in public corruption.
Background and Context
Tri-State Disposal Inc. Lawsuit
The indictment of Lawrence Jackson is linked to a civil lawsuit filed by Tri-State Disposal Inc., a waste management company in Riverdale. Tri-State alleged that Jackson retaliated against them by refusing to renew their garbage collection contract with the city. The lawsuit also claimed that Jackson gave preferential treatment to a recycling business, which led to their loss of the contract.
Jackson’s Relationship with the Recycling Company
According to the indictment, Jackson had a close relationship with the owner of the recycling company. The owner allegedly assisted Jackson in replacing Tri-State with a different garbage collection company. Jackson and his wife owned a trucking company that was effectively operated by the recycling company’s owner.
Jackson’s Deposition in the Lawsuit
Lawrence Jackson participated in a deposition as part of Tri-State’s lawsuit on February 25, 2021. During the deposition, Jackson provided answers under oath that were later alleged to be false. The indictment states that Jackson concealed his relationship with the recycling company’s owner and gave false testimony regarding the introduction and recommendation of the new garbage collection company.
Details of the Indictment
Perjury Charge against Lawrence Jackson
The perjury charge against Lawrence Jackson is related to his alleged false testimony during the deposition. Perjury is a serious offense that involves knowingly providing false information under oath. If convicted, Jackson could face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
Alleged False Testimony in Deposition
The indictment alleges that Lawrence Jackson provided false testimony during the deposition in Tri-State’s lawsuit. Specifically, Jackson falsely claimed that a village administrator introduced him to the new garbage collection company, when in fact it was the recycling company’s owner who made the introduction. This false testimony was intended to conceal Jackson’s relationship with the recycling company and the owner’s involvement in the operations of his trucking company.
Concealing Relationship with Recycling Company
The indictment also accuses Lawrence Jackson of concealing his relationship with the owner of the recycling company. The owner allegedly had extensive involvement in the operations of Jackson’s trucking company. By concealing this relationship, Jackson is alleged to have obstructed the administration of justice and hindered the progress of the lawsuit.
Text Messages Exchanged during Deposition
During the deposition, Lawrence Jackson reportedly exchanged text messages with the owner of the recycling company. These text messages are mentioned in the indictment as evidence of Jackson’s attempt to conceal his relationship and coordinate his testimony with the owner.
Legal Implications
Presumption of Innocence
It is important to note that Lawrence Jackson, like any individual facing criminal charges, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The indictment represents the government’s allegations against him, and Jackson is entitled to a fair trial where the government has the burden of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Potential Sentences for Perjury and Obstruction Charges
If convicted, Lawrence Jackson could face significant penalties for the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, while the obstruction of justice charge is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
Government Representatives
Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney
Morris Pasqual is the Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. As the lead federal prosecutor for the district, Pasqual is responsible for overseeing the government’s prosecution of criminal cases, including the indictment of Lawrence Jackson.
Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI
Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr. is the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The FBI played a significant role in the investigation that led to the indictment of Lawrence Jackson.
Machelle L. Jindra, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General
Machelle L. Jindra is the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. Her office provided substantial assistance in the investigation of Lawrence Jackson.
Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Ruth M. Mendonça is the Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Postal Inspection Service, along with other government agencies, contributed to the investigation and subsequent indictment of Lawrence Jackson.
Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago
Justin Campbell is the Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The division played a role in the investigation of Lawrence Jackson, particularly in relation to potential financial wrongdoing.
Assistance Provided by the Illinois State Police
The Illinois State Police provided substantial assistance in the investigation that led to the indictment of Lawrence Jackson. Their contribution to the case highlights the collaborative effort between federal and state law enforcement agencies.
Indictment Announcement
Date of the Announcement
The indictment of Lawrence Jackson was announced on Thursday, November 2, 2023. The announcement marked the formal charging of Jackson and the beginning of the legal proceedings against him.
Details of the Announcement
The indictment announcement was made by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, along with other government representatives involved in the case. The announcement emphasized the serious nature of the charges and the commitment of the government to combat public corruption.
Indictment Update
Latest Information on the Indictment
As of the writing of this article, there is no additional information available regarding the indictment of Lawrence Jackson. The case is currently in the early stages, and further updates may be provided as the legal proceedings progress.
Related Content
Indictments of Other Public Corruption Cases
The indictment of Lawrence Jackson is part of a larger effort by the government to combat public corruption. Other significant indictments and prosecutions in public corruption cases have been reported in recent years. These cases demonstrate the government’s commitment to holding public officials accountable for their actions.
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Contact Information
Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office Addresses
- Eastern Division: 219 S. Dearborn St., 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60604
- Western Division: 327 S. Church Street, Room 3300 Rockford, IL 61101
Phone Numbers for Chicago and Rockford Offices
- Chicago: (312) 353-5300
- Rockford: (815) 987-4444
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Stay updated on the latest news and developments from the Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office by following their social media accounts. Additionally, access their archives for past press releases and announcements.
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Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/mayor-riverdale-ill-indicted-perjury-and-obstruction-charges
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