Beena Patel, Perjury, Illinois 2024

CHICAGO – Beena Patel, 55, of Chicago, a former associate clerk in the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, is facing federal charges for allegedly lying to a grand jury investigating potential corruption within the office. Patel is accused of perjury, specifically denying under oath that she sold tickets to campaign fundraisers for the Clerk’s office to her colleagues.

According to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court, Patel not only sold the tickets herself but also knew other employees were engaging in the same practice. These fundraisers, held several times a year, were organized by an entity dedicated to raising funds for the Clerk’s campaign. When questioned by the grand jury on or about Oct. 15, 2015, Patel allegedly stated she never sold tickets to coworkers and was unaware of any colleagues collecting money or distributing tickets – claims the indictment asserts were demonstrably false.

The scope of the grand jury investigation extended beyond simple fundraising. It delved into allegations of potential “purchasing of jobs and promotions” within the Clerk’s office, a claim that suggests a quid pro quo system may have been in place. Patel’s testimony continued on or about July 14, 2016, and prosecutors allege she continued to mislead investigators during that session as well. She allegedly lied about knowing another employee had spoken to law enforcement and testified before the grand jury.

The indictment further claims Patel falsely denied knowledge of efforts to help another Clerk’s office employee secure a promotion and pay increase. This employee had previously received two raises and promotions after their brother contributed approximately $10,000 to the same entity raising money for the Clerk’s campaign. The details paint a picture of a potentially deeply ingrained system of patronage and reward within the office.

Patel is charged with three counts of making false declarations before a grand jury. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. No arraignment hearing has been scheduled as of today. The case is being spearheaded by Acting United States Attorney Joel R. Levin for the Northern District of Illinois, working alongside Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly M. Foxx, Cook County Inspector General Patrick M. Blanchard, and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago FBI office. Levin emphasized that “Perjury before a grand jury is a serious offense and fundamentally undermines the investigative process.”

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a finding of guilt. Patel is presumed innocent and will have the opportunity to defend herself in court. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather McShain and Ankur Srivastava are representing the government in this case, and they will bear the burden of proving Patel’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops, digging deeper into the alleged corruption within the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.