Category: Uncategorized

Patrick D. McDonough has entered his first professional photo contest. I brought my best pictures. I won best in landscape and best overall. I won over some of the best photographers in Midwest. This was shot with my Nikon professional series equipment. It will be published in a journal soon. Not bad for my first professional contest! Photo by Patrick McDonough.

City employee gets 15 years in prison for accepting bribes
June 13, 2008
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter
A former Chicago Buildings Department supervisor who dismissed citations and lifted stop-work orders in exchange for bribes–then frisked and threatened an underling who wore a wire for the government–was sentenced Friday to 15 months in prison.
Kurt Berger pleaded guilty to accepting a $1,000 bribe for lifting a stop-work order on a South Side building slapped with a series of code violations.
But, his plea agreement acknowledged that Berger and former building inspector David Johnson lifted stop-work orders on troubled buildings three times before that, in exchange for $500 each.
Berger took the most recent bribe, even after Johnson was arrested in connection with the case in December, 2006 and agreed to wear a wire.
After the arrest, Berger called Johnson into Berger's City Hall office, frisked him, warned him to be more careful and threatened to "get" Johnson if the inspector ratted him out, according to the plea agreement. Johnson has pleaded guilty.
Berger's attorney Jeffrey Steinback praised U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow for her "Solomon-like" decision to "split the difference" between the minimum and maximum in federal sentencing guidelines.
But, Steinback insisted that public safety was never compromised by Berger's actions and that he never asked for the money. He simply accepted cash "thank you's" from contractors after the fact.
"All they were doing is the finishing touches. There were no structural changes. No loose wires or any other violations. This was strictly a stop-work order because of an expired permit on a project that was already 90 percent complete. There were no compromises to anyone's safety," Steinback said.
Inspector General David Hoffman countered that calling the bribe a "thank you after the fact minimizes the significance" of what Berger did.
"Kurt Berger was the supervisor over the Troubled Buildings Section. When he dismissed citations by basically removing them from the computer system, he was completely undermining the work other building inspectors had done. That is very significant corrupt conduct," he said.

Michael McGann is a favorite at Chicago Clout. The Chicago Clout website has attempted to help as many municipal workers as possible. Today was a very long day for Michael McGann and his group of supporters. The North side of Chicago and the South side stepped to the plate for Chicago’s most famous plumbing inspector. Kids demand clean water in Chicago. Chicago should not punish city workers that want to make sure the drinking water in the less affluent sections of Chicago get the same clean water as those yuppies downtown. If Chicago is to remain a “Green City”, than the water should not have e-coli or fecal matter in our children’s drinking supply. I am proud of these young kids that drink Chicago water fighting for what is right. These are the McGann and McDonough children. We would also like to thank the Smith, Martinez, and Bernstein kids for supporting Inspector McGann. Michael McGann blew the whistle on bad water and plumbing at the Jose De Diego School in Chicago, now his bosses are mad. Frank Avila Jr. is McGann’s attorney at this hearing. I am glad the Chicago kids want clean water. Also at the hearing was Charles Walker, a former Inspector that should get his job back soon. Read an article by Fran Spielman, see below. Photo by Patrick McDonough]]> Continue reading “Chicago Department of Human Resources struggle over Drinking Water Whistleblower”

I hope when you pay your tax bill my fellow Chicagoans, you make sure to thank Mayor Daley and all the Chicago Politicians for providing City Workers to fill space at the Olympic rally. Mayor Daley wants the Olympics so bad he is willing to provide city workers so he can look like he is a big player. Of course many of the City Workers know Mayor Daley is breaking the rules that forbid politics on city time. I think the bosses that asked their underlings to participate in the Obama-Mayor Daley victory dance should be fired. The Inspector General was notified before as union workers were ordered to attend rallies with Rod Blagojevich and Mayor Daley. Many people were also not aware the courthouse at the rally encouraged many trials to shut down early because of safety concerns with Barack Obama. Daley does have power and clout, but asking trials in progress to shut down early? Please read Mark Browns take on the rally. Mayor Daley is very short, how tall is he? Obama is at least a foot taller that Daley, right? (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) . Patrick McDonough]]> Continue reading “Mayor Daley orders City Workers to Olympic Rally With Obama”

Fran Spielman is a Chicago Reporter that follows up on investigations. The Mayor Daley Administration is used to corruption and investigations just fading away. Read this article that shows the Department of Water Management that does not spend money wisely. The billing has increased dramatically since employees have made threats. Read the extended entry below. This security company has some major props somewhere John Daley! Patrick McDonough. Continue reading “Chicago Clout Honors Fran Spielman Again”

The City of Chicago Taxpayers paid for a slew of high price lawyers investigating allegations of improprieties by the Chicago Department of Water Management employees in the North District. One employee was Paul Hansen, the son of Bernard Hansen, a retired Chicago Alderman, now a registered lobbyist in Chicago for a up and coming bank. Paul Hansen sure moved up the chain of command mighty quickly prior to the FEDS moving in on Shakman Violations in Chicago. Yesterday, Paul Hansen gave a big huggly snuggly to a high ranking Water official that just experienced an unfortunate loss of a family member yesterday. At least one interview was held in Donald Tomsczak's old office which was quite ironic. I am concerned said one source; Mayor Daley should only have us talking to lawyers employed by the City. This bill should be a whopper, but due to Chicago record high gas prices, Chicago taxpayers will pick up the tab one way or another. Patrick McDonough.

As many of you know (oops, you do not) Alderman Banks is on vacation for two weeks. I asked if Alderman Banks asks for favors on behalf of caulkers in the Chicago Department of Water Management's North District. I also asked if they ever violated the Shakman decree. I am happy to say they responded, "they abide by the Shakman Decree explicitly". Mike S. stop asking for favors or they will report you! Get your tools and do your job! More on this later! Patrick McDonough.

Over one year ago, a member of Chicago’s Building Department was nearly at the end of his rope. Michael McGann and I have a mutual friend, Michael J. McDonough, my father. Mr. McGann has more information on the massive fraud at the building department than anyone I have ever met. After several conversations, I knew Michael’s revelations were beyond my limited resources. I asked Frank Avila, Jr. to meet with us, and funny enough a meeting was right across the street from Chicago’s City Hall. I was trying to get a foothold into the “Facing” scams that included Chicago Department of Water Management, Chicago Building Department, and various Chicago Department that looked a blind eye to the building explosion in Chicago. Simply put, a building is completely remodeled with no permit, including massive buildings. After all the work in the building is completed, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, structural, and drywall is completed, a permit is applied for a minor repairs to the front of the building, new windows, tuck-pointing, and doors. Cash changed hands like a Las Vegas Brothel. This has cheated taxpayers out of millions of dollars in revenue. The Yuppies in Chicago bought properties that have been shortchanged in every manner possible. When I called for inspections nothing was done. When I called a reporter to investigate this scam, nothing was done. Thanks to Michael McGann and Frank Avila, a new level of professionalism was brought to our new organization. Michael McGann was punished for his whistle-blowing activities. Mario Olivella, the very boss that tried to undermine Michael credibility was just indicted. I am looking forward to Mr. McGann’s upcoming hearing at the Chicago Department of Human Resources, Monday June 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. I look forward to Frank Avila asking Mario and the Boca Raton Las Vegas Boyz questions they might not want to answer. I am going to video tape the event for your pleasure. On a personal note, Michael McGann has brought a new level of professionalism to our fight to give the Chicago taxpayers a square deal. The hundreds of pages of evidence should make even Mayor Daley squirm. We have many more surprises for you soon. Mayor Daley has promoted people with gambling problems and they in return have promoted those with the same bad habits. Remember this my whistleblower friends, contact us at chicagoclout@gmail.com you might be entitled to reward money. My highest regard to the Chicago Inspector General, you are heroes. I see the leaks have been removed. I also look forward to the officials at Journeymans’ Plumbers Local 130 and the Bureau of Licensing help us with this mess; let’s not hide on the sidelines! Make sure you call Alderman Banks and let him know his plumbing inspector replacements just interviewed to replace these bums.Right W**** and M*** and D***? Photo by Patrick McDonough.

Chicago Clout has pictures of most of the famous politicians, judges, and lawyers in Chicagoland. One young lady has made the honor to grace our website as I know she is a future leader in the Chicago Law Community. Audrey Avila has graduated from Chicago-Kent, class of 2008 with her Juris Doctor Degree. With all the Chicago City Workers that get in hot water, I hope Audrey will join Frank Avila Jr. at his Downtown Law practice. (I pray she does) Audrey is the daughter of Commissioner Frank Avila (MWRDGC) and Sherry Avila a famous Irish singer. I look forward to watch Audrey in court fighting for justice. Patrick McDonough

Please hang in there until we get Chicago Clout fixed up. We have a new webmaster and we have many advertisers. I hope you support WBBM Channel 2 News in Chicago. I did not have them advertise prior because of the possible conflict of interest. Dave Savini is one of Chicago's top Investigators and working with him was a pleasure. People have died in fires from the lack of any water in the Fire Hydrant. I have had lawyers contact me for more information. The funds from this website will go towards our new webmaster and the improvement of video equipment. We will also give a large sum for legal assistance to Municipal Workers that are in a bind. Please hang in there with us. We are also preparing a donate section so you can help us help others. Lawyers such as Frank Avila, Ivan Tomic, Russ Stewart, and Loevy and Loevy, have helped with fees for those less lucky. Fees for legal review and research have been funded out of Victor Crown and my pocket. I hope you donate because you might need this service in the future. Patrick McDonough.