Home & Office Of Senator Martin Sandoval (D-IL) Raided By The FBI
People in the neighborhoods where the raids took place, watched as agents hauled out box after box of evidence. The lunch time raid was extensive according to several witnesses that were on the scene.
Sandoval,55, was elected into the State Senate in 2002, his office in Cicero, Illinois was also raided. Sandoval’s election was helped along by the group, ‘Hispanic Democratic Organization’ which is no longer operating.
Sandoval was able to get a Chicago public school in his sister’s honor built near his home. His district office was also raided by the FBI and officially sealed until further notice. Sandoval ran on a platform of immigration and local businesses.
The business owners that were next door to Sandoval’s district office said ‘they never saw him once’. The neighbors said he never once came over and introduced himself, another said he never saw Sandoval.
When reporters went to the Senator’s home for comment, he wasn’t there, but several FBI agents were there carrying out boxes.
Sandoval Apologized For Having Mock Trump Assassination Pictures At His Fundraiser
Sandoval issued a public apology after pictures of a mock Trump assassination at his August fundraiser surfaced. The pictures show fundraiser guests taking turns shooting at a Donald Trump effigy.
The pictures were posted online, and raised immediate controversy and backlash. One Facebook user wrote, āthe tolerant leftā. others shamed the Senator, saying it was his fundraiser and he’s responsible. Sandoval was at the fundraiser, and posed for several pictures at the event.
One picture is of a man, wearing a Trump mask, and pretending to be shot. Sandoval is pictured near the questionable scenes. Sandoval is also pictured standing next to the people holding the guns.
In a statement Sandoval said, āThe incident that took place is unacceptable. I don’t condone violence against the President or anyone else. I apologize that something like this took place at my eventā.
The Governor of Illinois J.B. Pritzker, also issued a statement, āAs our nation grapples the epidemic of gun violence, purposely pointing a fake gun at someone is insensitive and wrong. I condemn the actions like the ones displaced in the pictures because the lack the civility our politics demandā.
The FBI Raids At Sandoval’s Office & Home Is The Result Of An Ongoing Criminal Investigation
Sandoval has been accused of using his position as a Senator to generate money for particular businesses in exchange for kickbacks. Thus far no criminal charges have been filed against Sandoval. He has been in office for 17 years and is the Chairman of a Senate Transportation Committee.
In addition to FBI agents scouring the Senators official offices, IRS agents were also on the scene removing files. The past 10 months have seen several accusations of corruption by public officials throughout the state of Illinois.
In November of 2018, Alderman Edward Burke’s offices were also raided by the FBI and the IRS. Burke has since been indicted on federal racketing charges. He was accused of using his political position to steer business to his law firm. He has pleaded not guilty.