From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
Illinois special prosecutors face misconduct claims
Lawyer and researcher uncover ethical breaches in Illinois' Special Prosecution Unit.
In brief
Lawyer and researcher uncover ethical breaches in Illinois' Special Prosecution Unit. Julie Ajster and Bradley VanHoose found misconduct by Illinois special prosecutors after being charged with perjury and harassment. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Charged by special prosecutors
Attorney Julie Ajster and court researcher Bradley VanHoose were acquitted of felony charges after being charged by Illinois' special prosecutors.
Uncovered misconduct
Ajster and VanHoose used legal research skills to gather records showing ethical breaches by the Special Prosecution Unit.
Special prosecutors' history
Brian Towne and David Rands, two veteran special prosecutors, have faced accusations of misconduct and conflicts of interest.
Towne's SAFE Team
Towne created the SAFE Team, a highway patrol unit that confiscated over $1 million from drivers in five years.
Towne's conflicts
Towne had overlapping roles as police officer and prosecutor, creating a disqualifying conflict under Illinois law.
Towne's surveillance
Towne secretly recorded calls between Ajster and her fiancé’s friend to discredit her in court.
Towne's perjury charges
Towne charged Ajster with perjury for a statement she made in a recorded call that contradicted an affidavit.
Towne's suspension
Ajster was suspended for 30 days for misrepresenting her fiancé’s income to the court.
Towne's election loss
Towne lost the 2016 St. Clair County state’s attorney election after Ajster’s court filings exposed SAFE Team spending.
Towne's new role
Towne was hired as a member of the Special Prosecution Unit after losing the election.
VanHoose's case
VanHoose was charged with threatening a former mayor during a profanity-laced confrontation outside a diner.
Rands' nickname
Rands earned the nickname 'Rollover Rands' for quickly dismissing charges against well-connected defendants.
Rands' cases
Rands reduced charges for relatives of politically powerful people, often expunging cases without public record.
Rands' stringer shooting
Rands cleared the officer involved in the 2016 shooting of Jason Stringer, an unarmed Black man.
Rands' oversight
Rands' decisions were not challenged in 73 Cook County cases where ILSAAP reviewed police shootings.
Rands' impact
Rands' actions led to the unaccounted for case of Blaine Zdybel, a registered sex offender in South Carolina.
The main idea
Julie Ajster and Bradley VanHoose found misconduct by Illinois special prosecutors after being charged with perjury and harassment.
