In a recent trial, a federal jury in Chicago has convicted James T. Weiss, the manager of a sweepstakes gaming company, for his involvement in a bribery scheme with a former Illinois state lawmaker. Weiss was found guilty on multiple counts, including wire fraud, bribery, and making false statements to the FBI. The charges stem from Weiss’s payment of bribes to then-Illinois State Rep. Luis Arroyo, who promoted sweepstakes-related legislation in return. This case highlights the ongoing issue of public corruption and the efforts being made to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Background
In a significant development, James T. Weiss, the manager of a sweepstakes gaming company, has been convicted by a federal jury in Chicago of participating in a bribery scheme with former Illinois state lawmaker Luis Arroyo. The jury found Weiss guilty on counts of honest services wire fraud, bribery, honest services mail fraud, and making false statements to the FBI. The trial was held in U.S. District Court in Chicago, and U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger has set Weiss’s sentencing for October 11, 2023.
Conviction of James T. Weiss
Following a trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago, James T. Weiss has been found guilty on all counts against him. The charges include three counts of honest services wire fraud, two counts of bribery, one count of honest services mail fraud, and one count of making false statements to the FBI. This conviction marks a significant development in the case and highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat corruption.
Charges Against Weiss
James T. Weiss faced multiple charges related to his involvement in a bribery scheme with former Illinois state lawmaker Luis Arroyo. The charges against Weiss include honest services wire fraud, bribery, honest services mail fraud, and making false statements to the FBI. These charges reflect the seriousness of the offenses committed and the potential impact on public trust.
Verdict
After a trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago, James T. Weiss has been found guilty on all counts against him. The verdict highlights the strength of the evidence presented by the prosecution and the credibility of the witnesses involved in the case. The jury’s decision serves as a testament to the thoroughness of the investigation and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law.
Sentencing Date
James T. Weiss’s sentencing has been scheduled for October 11, 2023. At the sentencing hearing, the court will consider various factors, including the nature and severity of the crimes committed, the impact on society, and any mitigating circumstances. The sentencing will provide an opportunity for both the prosecution and the defense to present their arguments and for the court to deliver an appropriate sentence.
Announcement of Convictions
The convictions of James T. Weiss were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. The announcement of the convictions underscores their commitment to eradicating corruption and maintaining public trust in the justice system.
Officials Involved
Several officials were involved in the investigation and prosecution of James T. Weiss. Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, played a crucial role in overseeing the case. Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, led their respective agencies’ efforts in uncovering the bribery scheme and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Details of the Bribery Scheme
Evidence presented at trial revealed the details of the bribery scheme in which James T. Weiss participated. Between 2018 and 2019, Weiss paid thousands of dollars in bribes to then-Illinois State Rep. Luis Arroyo. The bribes were made from Weiss’s gaming company, Collage LLC, in the form of checks payable to Spartacus 3 LLC, Arroyo’s private lobbying firm in Chicago. In exchange for these bribes, Arroyo promoted legislation in the Illinois General Assembly related to the sweepstakes industry and advised other state lawmakers to support the legislation.
Payments to Luis Arroyo
James T. Weiss made payments to Luis Arroyo as part of their bribery scheme. These payments, amounting to thousands of dollars, were made from Weiss’s gaming company, Collage LLC. Weiss issued checks payable to Spartacus 3 LLC, which was Arroyo’s private lobbying firm in Chicago. These payments served as illegal inducements for Arroyo to promote legislation favorable to the sweepstakes industry and influence other state lawmakers to support the proposed legislation.
Meeting Between Arroyo and Illinois State Senator
In August 2019, Luis Arroyo offered to make payments to an Illinois state senator in exchange for the senator’s support of sweepstakes-related legislation. Arroyo arranged a meeting with the senator at a restaurant in Skokie, Illinois, on August 22, 2019. During this meeting, Arroyo handed the senator a $2,500 check from Collage LLC as an initial bribe payment. Arroyo explicitly expressed that this payment was just the beginning, with the expectation that the senator would receive similar payments for a duration of 12 months. Arroyo went so far as to write the name of the senator’s nominee on the company’s check to conceal the illicit payment.
In conclusion, the conviction of James T. Weiss for his involvement in a bribery scheme with former Illinois state lawmaker Luis Arroyo signifies a significant victory in the fight against corruption. The charges against Weiss, the subsequent verdict, and the upcoming sentencing demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable for their illegal actions. The collaboration of various officials in investigating and prosecuting this case underscores their dedication to upholding the rule of law and preserving public trust in the justice system.