Flashback:Chicago's Water Department Named Racketeering Enterprise

Here's an important flashback from The Chicago Sun-Times February 11, 2004:

Mayor Daley's Water Department operated as a "racketeering enterprise," raking in more than $500,000 in bribes for at least a decade, a federal grand jury charged Thursday, greatly expanding the Hired Truck investigation.

The feds say the criminal conspiracy was headed by Daley's first deputy water commissioner, Donald S. Tomczak, who had previously been charged with taking bribes. He is now accused of racketeering, just like a mobster.

Tomczak demanded bribes from Hired Truck companies, the indictment says. Some of the cash went into his pocket, and some of it was used as campaign contributions to various politicians, none of whom were identified in the indictment. At least $20,000 went to Tomczak's son, Jeff, who lost re-election last month as Will County's top prosecutor.

Tomczak also led a patronage army of at least 100 water department employees, who were rewarded with raises, promotions and overtime for helping elect politicians, the grand jury charged in the 46-page indictment.

No word yet from Rahm Emanuel on this one.