Ex-East Chicago Mayor George Pabey Asks 7th Circuit for New Trial

Illinois political corruption is in the news again. This week, in a brief filed before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, former East Chicago Mayor George Pabey argued that he deserved a new trial.

In his brief, he also argued that he deserved a new sentence of a maximum of one year. Pabey was sentenced to five years in prison for using city employees and city money for the renovations of his house. He was convicted last year on one count of theft and one count of conspiring against the U.S. government. A former engineering supervisor, Jose Camacho, was also convicted.

Now, George Pabey is pointing the finger at Camacho in an attempt to relitigate issues of the case before the 7th Circuit.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals brief, reports the Chicago Post Tribune, sets forth the arguments that there was not enough evidence showing that he willfully ignored illegal activity surrounding the renovation of his house. It also points to statements made by Jose Camacho, attempting to show that Pabey had no knowledge of the illegal events.

The filing also alleges an erroneous jury instruction. The jury was instructed to find Pabey as knowledgeable of the conduct if the evidence supported that he knowingly turned a blind eye to what he suspected was criminal activity.

At the trial, it was argued that Pabey was at the house during the course of renovations, which took place at the expense of the city.

Additionally, the appeal is looking to vindicate Pabey's wife, Hilda Pabey, who allegedly perjured herself in the trial last year, reports the NWI Times. The appeal filing alleges that Hilda Pabey's testimony was the result of a mistake and not willful.

George Pabey's lawyers say he should have been sentenced to 27 months instead of 33 months.

Related Resources:

• Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Cases (FindLaw)
• Corruption Trial Underway for Former IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (FindLaw's Blotter)
• A Brief History of Illinois Corruption (Time)