William Samuel McCann Jr., Campaign Fund Embezzlement, Illinois 2024

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a shocking turn of events, former Illinois State Senator William Samuel McCann Jr., a gubernatorial candidate, has pleaded guilty to nine counts of the indictment, including seven counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of tax evasion.

Mccann, 54, of Plainview, Ill., faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, as well as up to 5 years for tax evasion. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

The indictment charges that from about May 2015 to June 2020, McCann engaged in a scheme to convert more than $200,000 and potentially more than $500,000 in contributions and donations made to his campaign committees to pay himself and make personal purchases. He concealed his fraud from donors, the public, the Illinois State Board of Elections, and law enforcement authorities.

Mccann admitted during the plea hearing that he used campaign funds to purchase personal vehicles, pay personal debts, make mortgage payments, and pay himself. He used over $60,000 in campaign funds to partially fund the purchases of a 2017 Ford Expedition and a 2018 Ford F-250 truck, which he titled in his own name and used for his personal travel.

He also used campaign funds to purchase a 2018 recreational travel trailer and a 2006 recreational motor home, both of which he titled in his personal name. Mccann established an online account with a recreational vehicle rental business in Ohio and listed the vehicles for rent, identifying himself as the owner.

United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris stated, “We want to extend our sincere thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service for their tireless efforts in the thorough investigation and prosecution of this case.” The case is a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in politics.

McCann, a former state senator for the 49th District of Illinois from 2011 to 2013 and the redrawn 50th District from 2013 to January 2019, formed the Conservative Party of Illinois and launched an unsuccessful bid for Illinois Governor in 2018. During his plea hearing, he admitted to using campaign funds for personal expenses, including loan payments on his vehicles, fuel and insurance expenses, and mileage expense claims that he did not incur.

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