A former Cook County official and onetime spokesman for previous Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was indicted on federal charges Thursday for alleged fraudulent stealing and corruption charges.
The previous director of the Cook County Department of Public Affairs and Communications Eugene Mullins was arrested after he allegedly steered contracts under $25,000 in return for kickbacks, totaling $34,700, according to federal and state law enforcement.
Four idividuals who reportedly received county contracts and returned a portion of the payments to Mullins were each charged with one count of misprision of a felony but were not yet arrested.
Mullins, 48, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and four counts of soliciting kickbacks in a 12-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court Thursday, which seeks for him to pay back the $34,700.
Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and soliciting kickbacks carries a maximum of 10 years.
Mullins pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. A status hearing was scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 5.
