Arenda Troutman

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Arenda Troutman (born 1957) was the Democratic alderman of the 20th ward in Chicago. She was appointed to her position by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1990, to fill a vacancy after the death of Alderman Ernest Jones. Troutman was the 16th woman to serve as a Chicago alderman. Despite her arrest and indictment on bribery charges, Troutman was a candidate in the Feb. 27, 2007 election. She was defeated by Willie B. Cochran, a former police sergeant and laundry owner.

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[edit] Personal life

Troutman attended Calumet High School and Southern Illinois University. After graduating she became a supervisor in the Office of Secretary of State. In 1978, she was arrested for shop lifting. Information about the arrest was made public by her opponents.[1] Troutman is the mother of three young sons.

[edit] Career as alderman

As alderman she has increased the number of financial institutions of in her ward, sponsored the Affordable Housing and Job Training ordinances and fought for improvements for all Chicago Public Schools. She is chairman of the Historical Landmark Preservation Committee, and co-chair of Housing and Real Estate. Additionally she serves on the Budget and Government Operations; Buildings; Committees, Rules and Ethics; Education; Police and Fire; Zoning; and Finance Committees.

In 2006, Troutman was active in fundraising for Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and in 2002 was a campaign advisor for Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards.

Alderman Troutman had also come under scrutiny on numerous occasions for ethical lapses in her career as alderman. In 2004, it was revealed she may have been dating Donnell "Scandalous" Jehan[2], the #2 leader of the Black Disciples street gang, who had fled the FBI after being indicated in a $350,000+/week drug operation in Troutman's ward. Jehan had been seen driving Troutman's car. A letter from Chicago Police Patrol Chief James Maurer to Troutman on police letterhead was found in the FBI raid on Jehan's home.[3] Troutman commented that she thought he was "a businessman" and that she let "everybody" drive her car.

Around the time her relationship with Jehan ended, Troutman reported several break-ins at her home and requested 24 hour police presence.[4] This action was noticed by several firearms advocacy groups including the Second Amendment Foundation.[5] and the web site Women & Guns.[6]

The Chicago Sun Times reported that Troutman had helped start a Hired Truck Company for her family to own and profit from. The Hired Truck Program was credited with being the scandal that opened the doors for current federal investigations into City hiring, a part of which led to the recent conviction of Patronage Chief Robert Sorich. Troutman's family business reportedly earned $1.1 million from the program.[7]

[edit] Arrest for Bribery

On Monday, January 8, 2007, Troutman was arrested and charged with accepting a bribe from a federal informant as part of an undercover investigation. FBI agents had to break a window to gain entry to Troutman's home.[8] She was released on $10,000 bond, and awaits a preliminary hearing scheduled for Friday, January 13. An affidavit filed by an FBI agent in the case alleged that Troutman accepted a $5,000 bribe and expected another $10,000, in exchange for preferential treatment for a supposed private developer looking to do business in the 20th Ward, which Troutman represents.[9]

The developer (Andre P. Johnson, known in the FBI case as cooperating witness-2) has two felony convictions and has been sued on multiple occasions for mortgage fraud and identity theft. The FBI claimed to have been unaware of Johnson's criminal background until it was informed by a reporter from the Chicago Tribune.[10]

Other details of the FBI's case and process raised questions. The property involved in the sting is not part of Alderman Troutman's ward. The property in question is on the boundary between the 20th (Troutman's) and the 16th Wards. The distinction placed a limit on the amount of influence that Troutman could have had in any zoning changes. In addition to the property's location being outside of her Ward, Troutman also discovered the zoning change to be driven by the bribe was not required. The zoning administrator told Troutman that the development request could be accommodated under the zoning status at that time.[11]

While Troutman has raised the issue of the property being outside her ward in an attempt to discredit the FBI, the following is very relevant: 1. The property was on the opposite side of the street from her ward. The alderman whose ward it belongs to admitted that she herself was not always clear on what was in or out but noted the powerful influence she and Troutman both have in the area. 2. The FBI had to forcibly enter Troutman's house after 30 minutes of knocking. Troutman was inside. 3. The FBI search of Troutman's house turned up the following: A. A warm paper shredder B. An unregistered handgun, which is a violation of city ordinances banning such C. Drug residue D. Suspected drug paraphernalia

Troutman was also caught on FBI tape making an introspective comment regarding bribe-taking that all politicians are "hos."

Troutman is the first female Alderman to be charged while still in office.[12] The last Alderman to be convicted of a crime was Percy Z. Giles in 1999. Since 1972, 26 Chicago alderman have been convicted of crimes. Giles is running in the 2007 election.

[edit] Election 2007

Despite her arrest and indictment on bribery charges, Troutman was a candidate in the Feb. 27, 2007 election. She was defeated by Willie B. Cochran, a former police sergeant and laundry owner. Despite the defeat, Troutman has stated that she will not concede, citing conspiracy against her and irregular voting.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Troutman was known to strut when others kept low profile. Chicago Sun Times (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
  2. ^ Bloodied but unbowed. Chicago Tribune (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  3. ^ Alderman had romantic relationship with gang leader. ABC 7 Chicago (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  4. ^ Brother of Alderman Troutman arrested. ABC 7 Chicago (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  5. ^ Second Amendment Foundation (2004-05-10). "SAF BLASTS ELITIST CHICAGO ALDERMAN; 'WHERE'S PROTECTION FOR OTHER CITIZENS?'". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  6. ^ Tartaro, Peggy (2004). From The Editor.... Women & Guns. Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  7. ^ Novak, Tim. "Alderman's family tied to truck firm", Chicago Sun-Times, 2005-06-24. Retrieved on 2006-01-08. (English) 
  8. ^ Chicago alderman dramatically arrested. Associated Press (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  9. ^ Criminal complaint: Alderman accepted bribe. Chicago Tribune (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  10. ^ "FBI mole had long history of fraud--but looked great", Chicago Tribune, 2007-01-11. Retrieved on 2007-01-11. 
  11. ^ "Details don't get in way of FBI sting", Chicago Tribune, 2007-01-10. Retrieved on 2007-01-11. 
  12. ^ City Council Reacts To Troutman Corruption Charges. CBS Chicago (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.

[edit] External links