Congresswoman’s husband indicted

The Chicago Tribune ^ | 3/11/04 | Mike Robinson

[Mike Bates]

Robert B. Creamer, the husband of U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, was indicted today on federal charges of operating three check-kiting schemes that defrauded banks out of at least $2.3 million while he ran an Illinois public interest group.

[Mike Bates]

Schakowsky, a Democrat elected to Congress in 1998, served on the public interest group's policy board but has said she was never involved in its business matters.

Or so she says.

[OldFriend]

This woman is one of the most vicious partisans in congress and that is saying a lot!

[NormsRevenge]

FRom Yahoo! and AP

CHICAGO - The husband of Rep. Jan Schakowsky was indicted Thursday on federal charges of operating check-kiting schemes that defrauded banks out of at least $2.3 million while he ran a citizens group.



Robert B. Creamer, 56, was charged with 16 counts of bank fraud for allegedly swindling nine financial institutions. He also was charged with 18 counts of tax fraud.


Creamer's attorneys Ann C. Tighe and Theodore Poulos said their client would plead innocent to the charges and "will deal with them head-on, knowing that he at all times acted in good faith and never defrauded anyone."


There were no allegations of wrongdoing against Schakowsky, a Democrat first elected to the House in 1998.


The congresswoman issued a statement shortly after the indictment was released saying she was "shocked and disappointed to learn that the Justice Department (news - web sites) has decided to bring charges against Bob, seven years after these allegations were first raised."


Schakowsky said she was confident her husband would be proved innocent.


According to the indictment, Creamer floated check and wire transfer deposits between bank accounts to inflate their balances and hide their deficiencies.


It alleges that he caused a series of insufficiently funded checks and wire transfers to be drawn on accounts he controlled as executive director of the Illinois Public Action Fund, a not-for-profit public interest organization. Creamer then allegedly deposited the money into other accounts he controlled.


According to the indictment, Creamer used the inflated balances to pay expenses of his organization, as well as expenses and his own salary.


Creamer resigned as the longtime executive director and president of the group in 1997 after the FBI (news - web sites) questioned him about a $1 million overdraft. According to the government, the Illinois Public Action Fund was also known as Illinois Public Action, Public Action and Illinois Citizen Action Fund.


Schakowsky served on the public interest group's policy board but has said she was never involved in its business matters.


Creamer is also charged in the indictment with failing to pay more than $300,000 in federal income taxes for employees of the group and for himself between 1996 and 2000. Four other counts allege he filed false income tax returns between 1996 and 1999.


Each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. A count of failing to pay withholding taxes carries a penalty of five years, and filing a false tax return a penalty of three years.


___


On the Net:


Congresswoman's site: http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/

[GiveEmDubya]

I saw her on Politically Incorrect a few years back.

One of the top ten loudest whining liberals in Congress.

[concerned about politics]

$2.3 million

Oooo. That's a LOT of stealing going on there.

Schakowsky, a Democrat elected to Congress in 1998, served on the public interest group's policy board but has said she was never involved in its business matters.

She didn't notice the bank account up by $2.3 million? Are Democrats really that stupid? Did she think it was petty cash?

[sirshackleton]

I've looked it up, but I'm still having trouble understanding exactly what check-kiting is. The examples I've read online aren't that great. Can anyone help?

[brbethke]

But wait. I thought Republicans were "the most crooked, you know, lying group I've ever seen."

[mabelkitty]

She needs to resign until an investigation clears her name.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

At least he wasn't spying for Iraq.

[daler]

Fourth paragraph before party affiliation (D) was mentioned.

I wonder if this reporter will get a few days off, unpaid, for that little slip.

[mabelkitty]

We actually don't know what they did with the money.
Any recent donationsto 527 accounts set up in Texas?
I wonder.....

[Blood of Tyrants]

For every TRUE crooked GOP story that shows up, there are 30 crooked Rat stories. Just a bunch of lying crooks.

[Dawgreg]

Yeah, right! Think she'll go into a Sgt. Shultz "I KNOW NUTHINK" mode?

[laconic]

Congressperson Scachowsky couldn't possibly have known what was in their bank account or where all this money was coming from; She was too busy worrying 24 hours a day about doing good for the people! She's one of "the people", isn't she? If the accusations against her husband are true, it would appear to me that he went to this nonprofit to "do good and did very well, indeed!"

[concerned about politics]

At least he wasn't spying for Iraq.

LOL. Good point. They just don't quit, do they?(In case anyone missed it - American Citizen Charged With Spying (For IRAQ) - Update: Former Mosely Braun Aide)

[only1percent]

Check kiting is a fraud which takes advantage of the clearing delay in checks. You have multiple accounts, and you write checks rapidly from one account to the other. This has the effect of temporarily increasing the apparent balance in the accounts, which you either use as evidence of financial solvency to secure credit or forebearance from third parties, or you actually withdraw cash or use a check drawn on the illusory balance to buy goods. If you trick a creditor, you've committed fraud on him. If you draw cash, you steal from the bank. If you use a check, you steal from whoever accepts the check and doesn't get paid by his bank.

[concerned about politics]

Yeah, right! Think she'll go into a Sgt. Shultz "I KNOW NUTHINK" mode?

"I don't recall."

[Dawgreg]

LOL! My mind is jello......jello.....jello

[Howlin]

Jan Schakowsky

According to her web site biography, Jan Schakowsky was "elected to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District on November 3, 1998, after serving for eight years in the Illinois State Assembly.

"Schakowsky, who serves on the House Democratic Leadership team as Chief Deputy Whip, is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she will work to accomplish her top priority in Congress -- providing universal healthcare coverage for all Americans.

"A citizen advocate, grassroots organizer, and elected public official, Schakowsky has fought throughout her career for economic and social justice and improved quality of life for all; for an end to violence against women; and for a national investment in healthcare, public education and housing needs.

"In the House, Schakowsky has won major legislative victories to increase federal assistance for abused women and children and to protect the rights of battered immigrant women; to reform election laws guaranteeing that no registered voter is turned away at the poll; to expand housing opportunities for low-income people; and to assist small business owners and farmers.

"A longtime consumer advocate, who in 1969 led the fight that put freshness dates on products sold in the supermarket, Schakowsky carries on that tradition in Congress with efforts to safeguard the rights of victims of identity theft and to protect consumers from predatory lenders. A champion for the nation’s seniors, Schakowsky is actively engaged in the campaign for seniors and persons with disabilities to access affordable prescription drugs. Schakowsky is also working to ensure that seniors receive quality home, hospice, and nursing care.

"Schakowsky is an active member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and is a champion of expanding our nation’s hate crime laws. .

"Prior to her election to Congress, Schakowsky represented the 18th District in the Illinois General Assembly for eight years. She served as a Democratic Floor Leader and as Secretary of the Conference of Women Legislators.

"For twenty years prior to her election to the State House, Schakowsky fought for the public interest and rights of Illinois citizens. As Program Director of Illinois Public Action, the state’s largest public interest organization, she fought for energy reform and stronger protection from toxic chemicals. As Director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens from 1985-1990, she organized across the state for lower cost prescription drugs and tax relief for seniors, financial protection for the spouses of nursing home residents and other benefits for the elderly. She has been deeply involved in the fight to protect women’s reproductive freedom.

"Schakowsky resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband Robert Creamer. She has three children, Ian, Mary, and stepdaughter Lauren Creamer, and four grandchildren, Isabel, Eve, Lucy, and William. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1965 with a B.S. in Elementary Education."

[Gritty]

Representative Janice Schakowsky (D)
9th Congressional District, Illinois
Democrat, Years of Service: 5

ACU Ratings for Representative Schakowsky:
Year 2003	12
Year 2002	N/A
Lifetime	4