As Jones trial nears its end, defense stresses FBI mole 'never gave any money to the senator'
The bribery trial of Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III appears to be nearing its end, with prosecutors likely to rest their case Tuesday after airing Jones’ recorded interview with the FBI the day agents descended on the Illinois Capitol in September 2019.
Jurors listened to the opening moments of that recording Monday. A dog can be heard barking in the background, and agents asked Jones “how are you?”
“Well, the FBI is at my door, so,” Jones responded, before the agents explained they’d been investigating then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval.
U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood sent jurors home for the day before they heard the substance of the recording, though. They’re expected to hear the rest Tuesday, and prosecutors are likely to wrap up their case a short time later.
The trial will then shift into a new phase, giving the senator’s lawyers a chance to call their own witnesses. They’ve signaled they’ll put on a short case, with just a few witnesses called to the stand.
But before closing arguments can begin, Jones will need to tell Wood whether he wants to also testify, on his own behalf.
Federal prosecutors say Jones agreed to protect red-light camera executive Omar Maani in the Illinois Senate in exchange for $5,000 and a job for a former intern of his. That person wound up doing no work for Maani despite being paid $1,800.
Jones had filed a bill in February 2019 that could have prompted a statewide study of red-light cameras. Maani saw it as bad for business. The alleged deal between Jones and Maani arose over two dinners in July and August 2019 at the downtown Chicago steakhouse Steak 48.
Maani wore a wire for the FBI, helping them snare multiple public officials in bribery schemes. Maani then struck a deal with prosecutors that saved him from a criminal conviction. Sandoval pleaded guilty in January 2020 to taking bribes from Maani. But Sandoval died in December 2020.
The high-profile raid of Sandoval’s offices, including at the Capitol, put the long-running investigation into public view for the first time. It took place Sept. 24, 2019. That’s also the day prosecutors say Jones lied to the FBI about his dealings with Maani.
FBI Special Agent Kelly Shanahan, who helped investigate the case, occupied the witness stand for most of the day Monday. She faced cross-examination from defense attorney Victor Henderson, who stressed that Jones never received the $5,000.
“Omar Maani never gave any money to the senator, right?” Henderson asked.
Shanahan confirmed that he didn’t.
Turning to text messages previously shared with the jury, Henderson asked, “You didn’t find one text message that said, ‘Where’s $5,000?’ that [Jones] sent to [Maani], did you?”
“No,” Shanahan said.
Henderson also asked whether Shanahan saw any text message in which Jones agreed to have Maani put the former intern on his payroll but “not to work. You didn’t see that, did you?”
“Not that exact statement, no,” Shanahan said.
During the dinner on July 17, 2019, Maani asked how much he could raise for Jones “in an ideal world?” Though Jones initially told him, “I don’t give folks numbers,” he eventually gave in and told Maani, “If you can raise me five grand, that’d be good.”
Jones also told Maani his “main thing” was “take care of my intern — that’s it.” Maani later told Jones he’d help the former intern “100%.”
Maani then added, “And like I said before, if you could just help me out with the, ah, the study to make it to Chicago.”
“You’re good,” Jones told him.
Shanahan testified Monday that she attended Sandoval’s funeral after his death on Dec. 5, 2020. She said two IRS agents also attended.
Henderson asked her, “Were you invited?”
She said she wasn’t. But later, she testified that she attended to pay her respects. She also said Sandoval’s wife and daughter approached her there. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri asked if they were appreciative.
“Yes, they were,” Shanahan said.