Lake Effect News

By LORRAINE SWANSON

Editor

The 50thWard vote fraud case stemming from the 2007 aldermanic election appears to have completed the pre-discovery phase.

Indicted political workers Anish Eapen and Armando Ramos appeared before Judge Marcus Salone at the Cook County Criminal Court building at 26th and California for a status hearing Wednesday morning.  Both men face multiple felony counts of vote fraud and vote tampering while working for Ald. Berny Stone’s (50thWard) aldermanic campaign. Charges were filed in January 2008 after the completion of a joint investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s and Chicago Inspector General’s offices.

Stone was able to hang on to his Chicago City Council seat warding off three challengers in the  general municipal election and winning a contentious runoff against Naisy Dolar in 2007. He has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Co-defendant Ramos is charged with two felony counts of vote fraud and two counts of vote tampering. The case has been dragging through the court for more than a year. Both men are out on bond.

Eapen, the former 50th Ward Streets and Sanitation Superintendent, is alleged to have presented his business card identifying himself as a City of Chicago employee while visiting voters in their homes. According to court documents, he offered voters’ garbage carts and tree trimming services in exchange for voting by absentee ballot.  He faces six felony counts of vote fraud, vote tampering and misconduct.

Wearing gray slacks and a purple shirt, Eapen stood before the judge with his attorney, Thomas Breen. Ramos wore jeans and a fleece jacket.

“Where are we?” Salone asked attorneys for both sides.

Assistant State’s Attorney Lynn McCarthy responded that prosecutors turned over all of their evidence to the defense.

Attorneys for Eapen and Ramos will have an opportunity to respond to what is said to be “boxes and boxes” of evidence on June 24.

“We are waiting for what the defense wants to do,” Cook County State’s Attorney spokesman Andy Conklin said after today’s hearing. “The ball is in their court.”

Eapen’s attorney, Tom Breen, could not be reached for comment by phone.

The next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 24, in room 706.