Feds: Chicago job seekers mowed dept. head's lawn

The Daily Herald reports:

People wanting jobs on the city payroll allegedly mowed the lawn, shoveled snow and washed windows at the home of the city's commissioner of streets and sanitation and some gave him money and gifts, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Prosecutors made the allegation in court papers filed in the case of former Chicago streets and sanitation commissioner Al Sanchez.

Sanchez is charged with taking part in a scheme to falsify city hiring documents to make it appear that jobs and promotions were being awarded on the basis of merit when they were actually granted based on politics.

Some gifts Sanchez received from people hoping for jobs or promotions included "cash for parties in Sanchez's honor," the court papers said.

No word yet from Daley operative and apologist David Axelrod on this one.