Former Chicago water official sentenced to almost 4 years

The AP reports:

A former city water official was sentenced to almost four years in prison Thursday for racketeering conspiracy and tax fraud in the federal corruption investigation at City Hall.

Donald Tomczak, 71, the former first deputy water chief, pleaded guilty in July 2005 and agreed to cooperate with the investigation into Chicago's scandal-plagued $38 million truck-for-hire program, which has the city hiring out hauling work to private truckers.

Tomczak was accused of furnishing jobs and preferential treatment to trucking companies in return for payoffs, gift certificates for himself and others and campaign contributions to a relative and a candidate for the city council.

U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan berated Tomczak on Thursday, saying "Mr. Tomczak let me tell you this, because of your avarice you have betrayed the public trust."

Tomczak, who also was fined $15,000, apologized for his actions and said he hoped his cooperation with authorities will help them in their investigation.

He admitted he took 20 years of payoffs in connection with the trucking program and he also headed a patronage army of city workers that got out the vote for Mayor Richard Daley and his allies.

No word yet from Rahm Emanuel since Tomczak's army of city workers helped the Chicago Congressman get elected.