A Friend of Cicero Town President Accused of Cheating on His Taxes

CHICAGO - Oct. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Cicero, IL – On October 7, 2013, the Chicago Sun-Times published an article entitled, “Friend of Cicero town president indicted on tax evasion charges.” The article discussed how the feds are now going after a friend of Cicero Town President Larry Dominick for allegedly cheating on his taxes. However, according to a defense attorney for Dominick’s pal, George Hunter, he says it’s all payback.

Hunter’s attorney, Michael P. Schmiege told the Chicago Sun-Times after his client pleaded not guilty in court, “These were retaliatory charges for Mr. Hunter not cooperating with the FBI and the government against Larry Dominick.”

Hunter’s charges were made over a year after the town of Cicero received a federal grand jury subpoena for records of Hunter’s business dealings, which suggests that the investigation involving Cicero, a town that has a long reputation for government scandal with the most recent scandal involving Town President Betty Loren-Maltese, who was sent to federal prison for misappropriating $12 million in funds, is under heat again.

According to the indictment, Hunter, 59, failed to pay federal taxes of more than $400,000 in 2007 and 2008. Hunter is currently out on bail until his next hearing that is scheduled for November 5.

The more than $400,000 worth in taxes was allegedly owed by Hunter’s company, Superior Sewer Solution, which received over $1.8 million worth of work from Cicero without submitting a bid or having a contract, as reported by the Sun-Times in 2011.

The indictment is alleging that Hunter wrote a number of checks to an “Individual A” and an “Individual B” for almost $500,000 in 2007 and 2008, which is when he made $655,000.

Although Dominick’s name was not mentioned during Hunter’s brief court appearance on Monday, Dominick’s political opponents have alleged that the town president was a partner in Hunter’s business on numerous occasions.

Dominick has denied having any business dealings with Hunter. Schmiege, Hunter’s defense attorney said that to the best of his knowledge, Dominick is neither Individual A, nor Individual B. Schmiege said that Hunter has never cooperated against Dominick and he has never been involved in anything illegal with Dominick. Schmiege did say that federal investigators wanted more information about Superior Solution’s contracts with Cicero for the years 2005 to 2009.

The Sun-Times obtained a copy of a federal grand jury subpoena from July of 2012 which sought records of the company’s dealings with Cicero from 2009 to 2011.

In a lawsuit filed by one of Dominick’s brothers against the town, court depositions revealed that several people testified that Hunter and Dominick were partners in a sewer business in the 1990s. George Hunter is being represented by Chicago-based criminal lawyer, Michael P. Schmiege.

Michael P. Schmiege represents clients who are facing criminal charges on the state and federal levels and he handles appeals cases. He has been included in Illinois’ selection of Rising Stars℠ for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013, which not more than 2.5% of attorneys in the state are given this distinction. The Law Offices of Michael P. Schmiege is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance. To speak with attorney Schmiege regarding your case, please call (312) 906-7800 or visit the firm’s website online at http://www.chicagocriminaldefensefirm.com.